Flu is coming: the disease is already in 16 regions of Ukraine
22 January 12:56
The circulation of influenza A and B viruses has been confirmed in 16 regions of the country. This was reported by the Ministry of Health, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The ministry emphasized that currently, the low-level epidemic threshold is exceeded only in the Ternopil region.
The Ministry of Health also provided the following statistics:
From January 13 to January 19, 106,639 people fell ill with SARS, flu, and COVID-19, including 54,887 children under the age of 17. Doctors diagnosed 372 people with COVID-19, including 31 children. A total of 3,284 patients, including 1,873 children, were hospitalized with complications of ARVI, influenza and COVID-19. All hospitalized patients received the necessary medical care.
In total, since the beginning of the epidemic season, from September 30, 2024, to January 19, 2025, 1,819,714 people have been ill with SARS, influenza and COVID-19. This is 20.5% less than at this time last year. 16,051 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. Two deaths were reported as a result of flu complications and 71 among people who tested positive for COVID-19.
The most effective protection is vaccination
The Ministry reminded that the most effective prevention of COVID-19 and influenza is annual vaccination, in particular for people at risk. Vaccination against influenza does not protect against COVID-19 and vice versa. Instead, vaccinations against these diseases can be done on the same day or at the recommended interval. COVID-19 vaccinations remain free of charge for the public. Doctors use Pfizer’s Comirnaty omicron-specific vaccines for adults and children. You can get vaccinated by contacting your family doctor.
Annual vaccination against influenza is recommended, because in severe cases, it can cause dangerous complications: damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, etc. The vaccine is not included in the list of free vaccinations, but it is recommended, especially for people at risk (everyone who works in crowded places: healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, teachers, as well as pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases, children under 5 years of age and people over 60 years of age). As of January 19, 2025, 105,164 people in the country have been vaccinated against influenza.
