The upcoming flu season in Europe could be severe for the elderly and those with weakened immunity, the EU public health agency warned on Tuesday (October 26th), adding that it could place a greater burden on health systems already strained by the Covid-19 situation.

The main reported subtype of influenza virus seen in the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) disproportionately affects older people and is associated with lower vaccine effectiveness, said the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

"Early findings of subtype A (H3N2) are an indication that next flu season may be severe, although we can not know for sure what it will look like," said Passy Penttinen, head of the ECDC flu program. .

Penttinen called on health workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and the flu before winter, and added that physical distance and hygiene measures are important for everyone, especially those working in nursing homes and health care settings.

About 20% of the population gets the flu every year. The elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions are at greater risk of severe complications from the flu, the ECDC said.

Source: Reuters