Influenza season epidemic is off to an early start in WHO’s European region amid concerns over RSV and COVID-19.

An increasing number of people is being admitted to hospitals due to influenza, with hospital admissions rising since October. Our populations, 55 years and older, account for almost half of reported influenza hospital admissions.

In 23 countries reporting Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) data, hospitalised patients have been diagnosed mostly with type B viruses (85%), with children aged four years and younger being the most often affected.

RSV has also been on the rise since October, with some 20 countries and areas experiencing intensified RSV activity.

COVID-19 case rates, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and death rates are currently low compared to the past 12 months, but this situation could change as new variants emerge, and the disease continues to strain healthcare resources.

Zurab Zurabashvili, Psychiatrist at the Centre for Mental Health and Prevention of Addiction, in Tbilisi, Georgia, was one of the first health workers in his country to be vaccinated against COVID-19. “There is a saying in Georgian ‘I love you so much, I could die for you.’ I say, “Don’t die, just get vaccinated for me, so I don’t fall ill because of you and this will be a proof of love.”

Health workers are some of the most vulnerable when it comes to the risk of catching viruses. They are also a key, trusted source of information for their patients. If they are positive about vaccination, their patients might be more likely to get vaccinated too.

Lela Beradze, Chief Nurse of the Emergency Unit at Botchorishvili Clinic in Tbilisi, Georgia, urges that vaccination for influenza should be done in October or November for best protection from the virus.

“Getting vaccinated does not only mean protecting yourself. It means protecting those around you. It means protecting young kids and older people. It also means protecting those who due to underlying health conditions cannot get vaccinated,” Beradze says.

At Baldersgade Vaccination Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark, vaccinations for both COVID-19 and influenza are underway.

Tina Barsøe, Director of Baldersgade Vaccination Centre, says, “It is a bit worrying because when we had the big COVID-19 wave, cases of influenza were low, and so, the concern right now is if we see a rise in both COVID-19 and influenza, then it's a very bad combination, especially for vulnerable groups.”

Several clients at the centre opted to be vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the influenza. WHO/Europe urges everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19.

Dr Richard Pebody, Head of the High Threat Pathogen Team at WHO/Europe says, “It's important to remember that vaccines save lives. And it's really important that if people are in these eligible groups, that they take up their offers of vaccine, get themselves vaccinated, protect themselves.”

Dr Pebody urges the taking of other protective measures as well, such as hand washing, catching our coughs and sneezes and staying away from other people when unwell with respiratory diseases.

By taking precautions, we can all contribute to a healthier winter season for all.