Eastern Macedonia and Thrace regional authority issues flu vaccination advisory
In a statement signed by the Head of the Public Health and Social Welfare Department, Antonis D. Antoniadis, the authority emphasized the importance of timely vaccination to prevent flu transmission and reduce severe complications.
According to the Health Ministry’s statement from September 30, 2024, titled “Guidelines for the 2024-2025 Flu Season and Vaccination,” the flu is a respiratory illness that can range from mild to fatal and often disrupts both social and professional life, particularly during outbreaks. Such outbreaks can lead to increased medication usage and a rise in mortality rates.
While hygiene measures like frequent handwashing, isolating infected individuals, and avoiding crowded spaces are critical, flu vaccination remains the most effective strategy for preventing flu transmission. The Ministry has identified specific high-risk groups for whom vaccination is strongly recommended:
Individuals aged 60 and older
Infants and children between 6 months and 5 years
Children and adults with chronic respiratory, heart, immune system, kidney, liver, or neurological conditions
Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women
Individuals with morbid obesity or children above the 95th percentile in body mass index
Children on chronic aspirin therapy
Individuals in close contact with infants under 6 months or high-risk patients
Residents of communal living spaces (e.g., dormitories, military or police academies, elderly care centers)
Healthcare workers and those in refugee camps
Homeless individuals
Veterinarians, poultry and swine farmers, and others in frequent contact with these animals
The Health Ministry underscores that flu vaccination during flu season is crucial for both individual and public health, particularly for those in high-risk groups.
