The flu season is starting earlier than expected, and the first proven case in Bulgaria was registered on October 10. This was announced by Prof. Iva Hristova, Director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (NCID), on the air of “Hello, Bulgaria“.
“The flu is already circulating in the country. We have a proven case in a child who most likely contracted it from his close environment. The good news is that it is already good“, said Prof. Hristova.
According to her, the earlier appearance of the virus does not necessarily mean a longer or more severe season. The usual peak is expected at the end of January and in February, as in previous years.
“The fact that the flu came earlier does not mean that it will leave earlier or be more severe. It all depends on the specific circulation of the strains. We will all encounter it at some point, but not all of us will get sick. A quarter of people will have a more severe infection, others will end up in the hospital, and others will not even feel it“, specified Prof. Hristova.
Flu vaccines are already starting to arrive in pharmacies and general practitioners. According to Hristova, the deliveries are taking place in stages and the entire quantity will be available by the end of October.
“Not all quantities can arrive at once. But for people over 65 who are in the national program, there will be enough vaccines“, she assured.
The expert emphasized that this year the state has ordered significantly more vaccines compared to the previous one. “Applications for next year depend on the demand this year. If the interest is greater, even more will be ordered next year“, said Hristova.
According to her, the lack of a program for free immunization of children is mainly due to the complex administrative organization, which requires coordination between different ministries.
The sought-after nasal vaccines, which parents prefer for their children, will also be available in larger quantities this year. “Last year there were 10 thousand doses, and now there are 15 thousand. We expect the deliveries to be completed by the end of the month“, explained Hristova.
In parallel with the flu, there is also an upsurge in COVID-19 in our country. “Currently, COVID is probably the most common virus that we prove in the reference laboratory. Every fourth sample of respiratory material is positive“, warned Hristova.
According to her, the state has vaccines against COVID, which can be administered to those who wish - especially to the elderly, chronically ill, medical workers and relatives of seriously ill patients.
Current flu vaccines are quadrivalent and cover the two main strains of virus A and two of virus B. However, one line of type B (“Yamagata“) disappeared from circulation five years ago. “In some vaccines, protection against this strain has already been removed because it simply does not make sense. But this is not a problem - the vaccine remains effective and provides cross-immunity“, specified Hristova.
At the first symptoms of flu, the specialist recommended immediate initiation of antiviral treatment, as its effectiveness is highest in the first 1-2 days of the illness.