Flu is roaring back in India

[Kokeshi123]

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/the-flu-wave-several-people-in-different-parts-of-india-are-currently-down-with-flu-like-symptoms/articleshow/85480930.cms

Apologies if I sound like a stuck record--I know I mentioned this on another thread here. But scientists are getting really worried about what will happen as the flu comes back, which it inevitably will. India is already seeing an unseasonably early outbreak. The world is likely to have unusually low immunity levels because the flu was almost absent last year; normally, the virus buzzes around and we all get exposed a little bit, even if we didn't actually "come down with" the flu. People who did not get the vax last year will have low immunity levels. This is likely to mean increased severity, and possibly an outbreak earlier than the usual flu season.

All countries need to start getting their act together now: get the flu jabs up and running ASAPeven countries in the southern hemisphere. And I'd urge everyone here to get the flu jab and encourage everyone they know to do the same, as soon as it's availableeven people who wouldn't normally get the vaccine.

I'm actually more nervous about this than about COVID right now.

Flu jabs have been postponed indefinitely in our area due to not being able to get supply. I'm in group 4 CEV and was invited a month ago. Clinics due to start on Saturday but have all been put on hold. Not sure if it's nation wide but I know it is also a problem in Surrey as well as the south west.

We must have hardly any immune system with all the bloody jabs flying around.

@Suzi888

We must have hardly any immune system with all the bloody jabs flying around.

Vaccines improve your immune system so that doesn't make sense...

@Suzi888

We must have hardly any immune system with all the bloody jabs flying around.

You might find this useful: www.immunology.org/celebrate-vaccines/public-engagement/guide-childhood-vaccinations/how-vaccines-work

Bit difficult since our supply has been delayed due to the whole HGV driver situation.

Suzi I am not sure you understand how the immune system works.

Those in the southern hemisphere don't have the option to have the flu jab now. It's only available around March going into winter

But also India never vaccinates for flu in the first place.

Same here. We've been told by the surgery, that despite being on the flu jab list (CEV), no supply .

i have had a text offering me the jab, and i have taken it up, this weekend

Obvs no private supply either ATM, I'm on a wait list and will be getting as soon as possible.

I completely agree with PP that flu's likely to be a problematic issue this year, possibly also along with RSV (as seen in the incidence of RSV admissions in Oz/NZ recently).

I remember hospitals declaring emergencies and closing to new patients due to flu patient influxes in past years, and that was pre covid.

With supplies being low, should otherwise healthy people who’d usually pay wait until after all the clinically vulnerable people have had theirs? Or are they entirely different supply chains?

I don’t usually have one, but will get one from the pharmacy this year.

In a way, we’ll now know what strains will circulate looking at India. Before I was suspicious they’d get the right estimates (or rather, a close enough one)

Frightening. This has prompted me to book my 3 year old's vaccine (received text from GP yesterday) but - as someone young, healthy, and still wfh - I'd like to see any answers to the question about the ethical thing to do if there are supply chain issues. I don't want to take a vaccine someone else would benefit more.

www.wsj.com/amp/articles/post-covid-19-world-risks-having-to-pay-off-immunity-debt-11624863679

When people avoided each other during the pandemic, they failed to build up the immunity against viruses that comes from normal contact.

As regular life resumes, society may find payments on that debt coming due, in the form of worse-than-normal viral disease outbreaks.

Those in the southern hemisphere had theirs not too long ago, we can't get another one just yet surely.

TheSockMonster I normally have a flu jab done privately at a pharmacy but couldn't get one at all last year. I finally got one in December via my GP when they rolled it out to over 50s.

We were told yesterday the delay with flu vaccines is due to problems getting them through the border?
All clinics cancelled for to weeks minimum. Another three staff will have left in the meantime.

*two

@UsedUpUsername

In a way, we’ll now know what strains will circulate looking at India. Before I was suspicious they’d get the right estimates (or rather, a close enough one)

Too late for us, will help southern hemisphere for their next winter.

@Suzi888

We must have hardly any immune system with all the bloody jabs flying around.

The jabs are irrelevant. Our immune systems are shot because we've been social distancing etc, so they've not met enough bugs. Particularly concerning in small children - we've now got kids coming up to 2 years old who may not have been exposed to much illness at all, ever. That is not a good thing.

Got my text to book my flu jab but the GP told me they have supply issues so I can't book one after all.

Our secondary school in Scotland are now going to be offering nasal flu vaccine for the 1st time this year. Previously it was only primary age children who got it

As regular life resumes, society may find payments on that debt coming due, in the form of worse-than-normal viral disease outbreaks.

Exactly.

The costs of lockdown encompass health implications also.

I'm in the Southern Hemisphere and got my flu jab in March which is Autumn here. Why would I need another now it is spring?