The Czech Republic is behind in its vaccination efforts, whether against COVID-19 or influenza. Just over 33,000 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 this year, and the situation is even worse for influenza, especially among those at risk. It is feared that either disease will reappear in the near future.
Although the number of COVID-19 cases increased slightly in early September, it did not increase dramatically. In the first week after the holiday, 897 infections were reported, up from 469 seven days earlier. Other people are expected to return from vacation, autumn will arrive, and social gatherings will resume, as chief hygienist Pavla Svrčinová explains.
Despite this, the Ministry of Health does not plan to reestablish protection measures. Minister Vlastimil Válek rules out the option of mandatory isolation or a return to quarantine. However, he stresses the importance of monitoring the situation as COVID-19 continues to pose a threat, especially to others with comorbidities or complex age.
Since the beginning of the year, another 651 people have succumbed to Covid-19 and experts fear that vaccination will remain the defense against serious disease.
Roman Chlibek, president of the Czech Society of Vaccinology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, recommends receiving a single dose of a suitable vaccine, designed to combat evolving strains of COVID-19 that could emerge in the fall.
During the fall, the Czech Republic expects to receive more than one million doses of the new BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, unfinished against the new Omicron variant. In addition, another 200,000 doses of the Novavax vaccine are expected by the end of the year.
The Ministry of Health recommends vaccination for everyone, with special attention to those over 50 years of age, people with weakened immune systems, those suffering from serious illnesses and pregnant women.
However, vaccination rates against COVID-19 and influenza are low in the Czech Republic compared to other evolved European countries. While in countries such as Malta, Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Denmark, four-fifths of the population are vaccinated against COVID. -19, in the Czech Republic only two-thirds have been vaccinated.
Low interest in vaccination is a fear shared by experts, especially given the risk that COVID-19 and the flu pose to vulnerable populations. In the Czech Republic, only 25% of people over 65 are vaccinated, unlike the flu, which lags behind Western European countries, where at least two-thirds of older people are vaccinated each year.
Despite this, there has been a slight increase in the number of people receiving the flu vaccine, specifically among those over the age of 65. This trend is reflected in data from insurance companies, which indicates an increase in the number of people receiving reimbursements. for vaccines.
People can receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines through their GP, and COVID-19 vaccines can still be arranged through the central booking system. The Czech Republic expects the arrival of the last vaccines in the coming weeks.
Source: seznamzpravy. cz
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© 2022 The Prague Monitor