◎ Health and Medical Network
As autumn enters, the threat of a double attack by influenza and the new coronavirus has increased again. Once infected, it is not only easy to cause severe illness, but may also worsen cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Monitoring by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the domestic influenza epidemic is about to start and may enter the epidemic period early, and the new crown epidemic has also quietly rebounded. The Taiwan Society of Infectious Diseases recently held the "Left and Right New, Protection is Strengthened" autumn and winter health education press conference, calling on seniors over 65 years old and patients with chronic diseases to take advantage of the publicly funded vaccines starting on October 1. Influenza vaccines are available for the left hand and COVID-19 for the right hand. The enhanced type of influenza vaccine should be given priority.
Why are the elderly more afraid of the flu? Immune aging and chronic diseases increase health risks
Please read on...
Zhang Fengyi, chairman of the Taiwan Society of Infectious Diseases, pointed out that influenza vaccines can effectively reduce acute infection problems in high-risk patients. If patients with existing cardiovascular conditions are infected with another influenza, cardiovascular problems will often worsen, "such as increasing the chance of myocardial infarction and increasing cardiovascular complications." Statistics show that last influenza season, about 70% of the deaths from severe influenza complications were among elderly people over the age of 65. The key lies in "immune aging". The antibody response of the elderly after receiving a standard dose of vaccine is 2 to 4 times lower than that of young people.
How to choose the flu vaccine for the elderly? Medical analysis of differences in booster vaccines
Chairman Zhang Fengyi further explained the advantages of the boosted influenza vaccine: "It can increase immune antibodies, and secondly, it can extend the maintenance time of antibody titers." The protection of the conventional vaccine for the elderly may only be about half a year, while the booster type can extend to more than nine months or even one year, and the protection against severe illness is also 25 to 30% higher than the standard type. This year, 200,000 doses of the enhanced influenza vaccine were purchased for the first time at public expense, with priority given to the elderly in long-term care institutions. Taiwan became the first country in Asia to include it at public expense.
Chen Honglin, chairman of the Taiwan Grassroots Diabetes Association, encourages everyone to get vaccinated together and take home double protection in one trip to a medical institution, which saves time and provides peace of mind. (Taken from the post)
Can influenza and COVID-19 vaccines be taken together? Experts analyze common questions about vaccination
Many people are worried that giving two injections at the same time will increase side effects. Experts emphasize that there is no need to worry too much: "Domestic and foreign data show that simultaneous injection will not increase side effects. Whether they are elderly people over 65 years old or people with chronic diseases, eligible people should be vaccinated together on October 1." Taiwan Grassroots Diabetes Association. Chairman Chen Honglin reminded that whether it is influenza or COVID-19, it will cause systemic infection and inflammation. "For patients with diabetes, it will affect blood sugar control, and for patients with heart disease, it will affect cardiovascular problems." He encouraged everyone to get vaccinated together and take home double protection in one visit to a medical institution, which saves time and provides peace of mind.
Publicly funded vaccines will be administered in October. Vaccinations can also accumulate "health coins"
This year, the government has launched a "health coin" in a big way: starting from October, the Health Insurance Autopass App will add a health coin column. People can accumulate points after receiving vaccinations and directly exchange them for supermarket shopping credits. "Prevention is always better than treatment. When the flu becomes severe, the effects of treatment are often unpredictable." Experts finally appealed in unison, "Investment and financial management will make you gain and lose, but investing in health is a sure way to make money." Stay current, think about your lungs and your heart, get vaccinated as early as possible, and spend the winter with peace of mind.
Zhang Fengyi, chairman of the Taiwan Infectious Diseases Society, pointed out that influenza vaccines can effectively reduce acute infection problems in high-risk patients. (Taken from the post)
This article is reproduced with permission from the Health Medical Network/reported by reporter Huang Yining. The left is new and the right is new. Take care of your lungs and your heart. Experts call on the elderly to receive the enhanced influenza vaccine on October 1.
