FHI expects an increase in flu and corona cases. HI has previously warned about this year’s flu season and encouraged more people to get vaccinated. During this year’s infection prevention day, FHI says that we are currently at a normal level for respiratory infections for the time of year, but that they are seeing an increase. – From week 42 to week 43, we saw a sharp jump in the increase in flu infections. Usually it goes very quickly when it first starts, says FHI doctor Trine Hessevik Paulsen. In Tromsø, they keep the vaccination office open several extra days to get rid of the vaccination queue. One of those who have visited is Sveinung Pedersen. He has just received a new dose of corona vaccine. – There are divided opinions on this. But I have full faith that this will help, he says. Sveinung Pedersen gets the corona vaccine in his arm. Photo: Marita Andersen / news – Lagging behind with vaccination The queue has been steady since the offer of the refresher dose came at the end of October. Kamilla Thorsteinsen coordinates the supply of both corona and flu vaccines in Northern Norway’s largest city. She is satisfied with the turnout. Many people take both vaccines at the same time. She says that most people who come in are over 65. – The vaccination has gone very well. The turnout is great, and people are getting vaccinated for both corona and flu. Kamilla Thorsteinsen is vaccine coordinator in Tromsø. Photo: Marita Andersen / news On a national basis, however, it is desirable that far more people make use of the vaccine offer. That’s according to Assistant Director of the Directorate of Health, Espen Rostrup Nakstad. He says the corona infection is increasing. Hospital admissions are increasing. And the flu has started to spread. – We are a little behind now with vaccination, both against covid-19 and not least influenza. There are many in risk groups and those over the age of 65 who have not yet been vaccinated, he says. Clear message to risk groups According to FHI, there are 1.6 million Norwegians who belong to a risk group, and who should therefore take the flu vaccine. The corona and flu season is upon us at full speed. In order to prevent the hospitals from becoming overloaded, the health authorities are urging that everyone with underlying illnesses and those over 65 should be vaccinated. Who is recommended to take the vaccine? FHI recommends these groups to take the vaccine annually: Everyone aged 65 and over. Residents in care homes and nursing homes. Pregnant after the 12th week of pregnancy. Babies born prematurely should take it from the age of 6 months. until they are 5 years old. This particularly applies to children born before week 32 of pregnancy. Children and adults with: chronic lung disease (including asthma) cardiovascular disease diabetes type 1 and 2 liver failure or kidney failure chronic neurological disease or injury, especially people with reduced lung capacity and/or coughing power reduced immune defense as a result of illness or treatment of illness (f .e.g. organ transplant recipients, cancer, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases) very severe obesity (BMI over 40) other serious and/or chronic illness where influenza poses a serious health risk, after individual assessment by a doctor (e.g. persons with congenital chromosomal abnormalities, genetic syndromes and compound chromosomal abnormalities not classified elsewhere) In addition, the FHI recommends the following groups to take the vaccine: Health personnel and other employees in the health and care services who have close contact with patients during treatment or care. People who live with someone with a weakened immune system. Pig farmers and others who have regular contact with live pigs. Sanitation staff and others who work with suspected or confirmed domestic birds with influenza. The director of health is clear that they believe there are more people planning to get the vaccines. He has a clear appeal for them. Nakstad asks people to hurry up and get vaccinated. – Time passes quite quickly in November, so it is important to do it now. In any case, if you want protection for the winter season, he says. Assistant director in the Directorate of Health, Espen Rostrup Nakstad. Photo: Ksenia Novikova Nakstad says that it is more important to vaccinate than to get tested. It is worth noting that it is still important for a group to be tested for covid-19. Those who are in the target group for tablet treatment. – If you are over 65 and have underlying illnesses, you can receive tablet treatment from your GP. To get them, you must have a quick test, and then your GP must go through your medication list. It’s to see if you can get the tablets, he says. These are tablets that make you less ill with corona. Increasing admissions In Fredrikstad, the queue for drop-in vaccinations has grown long this week. – There are a lot of people here. We have been queuing now for three quarters of an hour, says Anne-May Johansen. The vaccine center offers both corona and influenza vaccines. Johansen took the corona vaccine on Tuesday. – I had very mild Covid a couple of years ago. It lasted, I don’t want that again. In Fredrikstad, people are queuing to get vaccinated. Photo: Rune Fredriksen / news At Sykehuset Østfold, corona admissions are increasing day by day. On Tuesday, 21 patients were admitted with proven corona infection. – There are increasing admissions of patients with Covid. Some are also hospitalized due to Covid. We also expect the flu to come during the winter, says subject director Helge Stene-Johansen. He hopes vulnerable groups and health personnel now take the vaccines offered against both influenza and corona. The hospital believes that there may be many admissions during the winter, and has made plans so that there may be more patients than the hospital is built for. – We are prepared and have a plan in the event of extraordinary overcrowding. And in the worst case, to go on standby, as during the pandemic, if there is a very large influx. Department director at Østfold Hospital, Helge Stene-Johansen. Photo: Sykehuset Østfold Worried about mycoplasma bacteria The spread of mycoplasma bacteria has also caused concern in Vestland county. Paulsen in FHI believes it is too early to say how big this outbreak will be in Norway. – We do not know how serious this outbreak will be in Norway, but there is reason to believe that the immunity of the population is conducive to a major outbreak, she says. The bacterium can cause infections in both the upper and lower respiratory tract. The symptoms usually develop slowly over several days to a week. Children, young people and young adults are most at risk, but adults can also be affected. More opening days People in Tromsø seem to have understood the importance of protecting themselves before the virus season really hits. Here, the vaccine coordinators have set up several days for vaccination. – We saw that all the hours we had posted had been taken. We saw that there was a greater demand, and then we expanded the offer, says Kamilla Thorsteinsen. Originally, the last vaccination day is on Wednesday. – If we see that all the classes are taken, then we will probably have to extend by several days, says Thorstensen. Sveinung Pedersen has no doubts about what recommendation he would give to those sitting on the fence, and considering whether they should take vaccines against influenza and corona. Namely to make use of the offer. – I have taken the corona vaccine every time it has been offered. It went well to take it this time and. I absolutely hope that I now stay healthy through the winter, says Pedersen smiling. Sveinung Pedersen after taking the corona vaccine. Photo: Marita Andersen / news
ttn-69
Nakstad asks people to hurry up and get vaccinated – news Troms and Finnmark
