Just look around to notice how, with the return of students to the classrooms and the first cold air, the number of people ending up in bed is increasing. As experts point out, the reasons for these ailments are clear: Covid has started circulating again in Italy, together with other seasonal viruses.
For further information: The vaccination calendar
"Many people are already arriving in doctors' offices with respiratory infections and symptoms such as cough, fever and cold", explained Tommasa Maio, head of the Metis National School of Vaccinology. However, he added, these symptoms are "hardly attributable to a specific viral agent, because almost no one takes swabs anymore." This happens, he said, because "now the symptoms in the general population are no longer serious, but they can be so for some categories, such as the elderly and chronically ill".
For further information: Influenza, what will it be like this year? What the data from abroad say
Complicating the situation is the contemporary circulation, which occurs with the arrival of the first cold weather, of influenza-like viruses, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus. "We need rapid diagnostic tests to distinguish bacterial infections from viral ones and the full restoration of the RespiVirNet surveillance network", is Maio's appeal.
According to the expert, "the simultaneous circulation of influenza, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus makes it increasingly important to strengthen surveillance systems, also through the contribution of family doctors". It would be important, Maio reiterated, to distinguish bacterial infections from viral ones and for this we need rapid tests, rapid swabs "and the full restoration of the RespiVirNet network. Furthermore, the integration between medical records, diagnostic tools and information flows could allow us to better understand the spread of infections and promptly orient prevention strategies".
Experts also underline how, in this context, it is essential to push for prevention. "The vast majority of serious cases of influenza, including those requiring hospitalisation, concern unvaccinated people and, in the last season, flu coverage among the over 65s was less than 50%", highlighted Anna Teresa Palamara, director of the Infectious Diseases Department of the Higher Institute of Health.
While the flu season has not yet come into full swing but is already causing the first ailments, doctors are therefore underlining the importance of vaccines. Especially for some categories. Suffice it to say that, as mentioned, last year only one in two over 65s was vaccinated.
Fimmg, the Italian Federation of General Practitioners, has launched a survey among members to identify critical issues in the vaccination chain. The failure to achieve coverage, from what emerged, depends on various factors: patient compliance, availability of doses and difficulties in accessing vaccination, especially in the most disadvantaged areas. "Organizational fragmentation must be overcome and simple access to vaccination registers must be guaranteed", declared Niccolò Biancalani, Fimmg secretary.
Therefore, while the vaccination campaign against Covid officially started on October 1st and for the flu the majority of the Regions will start in the middle of the month, organizational and logistical problems remain that would discourage participation. There is also the management of appointments: those who postpone a vaccination do not always come back to book it.
Thus, family doctors have issued an appeal to the elderly and frail people to book both the anti-Covid and anti-flu vaccines in the same session, which can be administered together without problems. The European Commission has already authorized a single vaccine against both diseases: it remains to be seen when it will be available in Italy.
For further information: Influenza, the vaccination campaign will start in October with updated products: who is it aimed at?
