Paediatrician foresees resurgence of infectious diseases
HT Bureau
Guwahati, May 24: Transmission of influenza (flu) virus happens through the nose and respiratory tract particularly when kids share close quarters like they do in school classrooms. Children younger than 5 years are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications, hence flu vaccination should be made an integral part of the child’s back to school plan.
This coupled with Covid appropriate behaviours of masking and sanitizing should protect the child from seasonal infections. Experts predict that this might be a difficult year when it comes to the flu.
Highlighting the need for the influenza vaccine for Dr Nirmal Jain, Paediatrics) Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati said, “Recently, many children have been exposed to the external environment and have begun spending time outside. Because children have been staying indoors for the past two years, there could be a resurgence of infectious diseases.
With the onset of monsoon season, children are most susceptible to respiratory illnesses. Infants under the age of five are especially vulnerable to influenza. Those with comorbid conditions like asthma, heart disease and people over 65 years of age are also severely impacted. Flu vaccination is considered a necessity to prevent the spread of the disease within the family and the community.
Co-infection between influenza and Covid has also been observed. Children below the age of 12 do not have access to the Covid vaccine, making it essential to get the flu shot. This will minimise the chances of coinfection. Diagnostic screening is necessary to differentiate between Covid and influenza in children and to recommend the appropriate vaccine.
Washing hands regularly and regular masking contributes to preventing the spread of infections. The Flu vaccine is updated every year in response to changes in virus strains. It is advisable to get the vaccine as early as May, as it takes a few weeks for the antibodies to build up during the Flu season (June-September)”.
As per WHO, India comes under the tropical Asia zone. This means that a peak in influenza cases is observed between summer and pre-monsoon, and so the ideal time to vaccinate starts from April as this gives enough time for antibodies to develop in the body and protect against flu.
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends co-administration of the Covid-19 vaccine along with other scheduled childhood vaccines (e.g. flu vaccine). This coupled with Covid appropriate behaviours of masking and sanitizing should protect the child from seasonal infections.
Flu can result in up to a 35% increase in OPD visits and excess hospitalisation in children. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu infection, which affects at least 4 out of 10 children in the pre-school age and a minimum of 3 out of 10 children in the age group of 6 to 12 years, during outbreaks.
So, if children are attending school or heading out for family vacations, both of which involve exposure to crowds, parents should make sure their vaccination schedules are up-to-date and the entire family is vaccinated against influenza. Protecting kids against infection is essential in the developing years as it may impact their growth.
