As highlighted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in a virtual press conference on Wednesday, the Covid-19 pandemic should not make people forget the flu or the flu virus, and the target population should be vaccinated against it.

“Covid-19 is not alone, the flu (flu) is also a risk. “It is important to draw attention to the need for vaccination against influenza, as influenza is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in the region,” said Jarbas Barbosa, deputy director of PAHO.

The institution announced that June, July and August are the months when the transmission of this virus is strongest in the South American continent, so it is now necessary to vaccinate vulnerable people against this virus.

“There is already data and evidence showing that flu and covid-19 vaccines can be administered together and simultaneously,” said Barbosa, adding that countries could use this “double vaccine” strategy to get more people vaccinated.

most vulnerable

The way to protect yourself from the flu is very similar to covid-19, according to PAHO. Hand washing, mask use and vaccination for all people in accordance with the guidelines of the ministries of health.

“People at highest risk of serious illness or complications from the flu include pregnant women, those younger than 59 months, the elderly, and patients with chronic (heart, lung, kidney, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, liver, or hematological) diseases or immunocompromised. HIV, chemotherapy, corticosteroid therapy or malignant neoplasms) » informs the organization on its website.

The business also announced that the highly pathogenic avian influenza AH7N3 cases detected in two poultry production buildings in Mexico in April were not a new strain, but a case detected in 2012, and Mexican health services had already ruled out the presence of the virus. virus. viruses in humans.