5–9 October 2020
COVID-19 will be circulating during the influenza season of 2020/2021 making it doubly important that everything possible is done to avoid outbreaks of influenza, which place additional pressure on already strained health systems. It is estimated that in any given year 5–15% of the population suffers from influenza, which represents a significant burden.
Vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent severe disease, but effectiveness can vary from year to year. The Flu Awareness Campaign, now in its 8th year, kicks off in October, as immunization begins in the Member States of the WHO European Region. The campaign aims to increase uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination among those population groups that need it most.
The campaign objective is to ensure that people across the Region take informed decisions on remaining uninfected with influenza during the 2020/2021 season in order to minimize:
- sickness, death and impact on the health system
- driving antibiotic resistance
- the draining effect on the pandemic response.
Influenza vaccines are not widely accessible in all Member States and, as a result, countries are recommended to ensure that those most at risk receive the vaccine. The Flu Awareness Campaign aims to support Member States in promoting vaccination to the highest priority groups – health-care workers and older people. Health-care workers are at high risk of contracting COVID-19, and older people are more at risk of severe disease.
Where vaccine supplies allow, other groups should continue to be offered vaccination. including pregnant women, young children and people with underlying health conditions, all of whom are more likely to develop complications from influenza.
The campaign will also be promoting other interventions, such as hand and respiratory hygiene.