Vaccination remains one of the most effective methods of preventing influenza. According to doctors from the Bishkek Health Strengthening Center, safe and tested vaccines have been used in the healthcare system for over 60 years.
According to their data, injectable inactivated vaccines against influenza dominate globally. For healthy adults, even if the viruses circulating in the community do not match the vaccine strains, the vaccination provides reliable protection. For older adults, the effectiveness of vaccination in preventing illness may be lower, but it significantly reduces the severity of the disease, the risk of complications, and the likelihood of death.
The World Health Organization recommends annual vaccination for pregnant women at any stage, children aged 6 months to 5 years, elderly people over 65 years old, as well as individuals with chronic diseases and healthcare workers, after consulting with a doctor.
In addition to vaccination and antiviral treatment, specialists emphasize the importance of individual protective measures. Such measures include regular hand washing with thorough drying, adherence to respiratory hygiene, timely self-isolation when flu symptoms appear, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and refraining from touching the face with unwashed hands.
