Influenza vaccination 2020-2021: sequential approach with priority for at-risk groups

Source: FAMHP

August 27, 2020

COVID-19 makes it important to be able to vaccinate at-risk groups to the maximum extent possible in order to avoid overburdening the healthcare sector. Therefore, influenza vaccination for 2020-2021 will be phased in, giving priority to those at risk.

The Public Health Ministers (federal and federated entities) stress the importance of 2020-2021 seasonal influenza vaccination in the context of COVID-19 and favour a sequential approach to vaccination.

COVID-19 and seasonal influenza
There is a risk that seasonal influenza may coincide with a COVID-19 peak. As a consequence, for winter 2020-2021, it is essential to be able to vaccinate, as a priority, as many at-risk people as possible in order to avoid overburdening the healthcare system.

In addition, vaccination of health sector personnel is essential to indirectly protect patients and to ensure that health sector personnel remain available during a new COVID-19 wave. Finally, the vaccination of people aged between 50 and 64 will reduce the workload for first line medicine.

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