An annual influenza vaccination can be a life-saver, but not many people even know it exists writes Meera Murugesan
THERE are many things which we now routinely do as part of the "new normal". Wearing masks as well as frequently washing and sanitising hands have become habits.
For better health, we should also include another aspect to this new lifestyle — annual influenza vaccination.
According to Immunise4Life (IFL) technical committee chairman Professor Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail, there are various reasons why Malaysians do not yet realise the importance of an annual flu vaccination but ignorance is the chief cause.
Many people don't even know that such a vaccine exists. Others may confuse the flu with the common cold and assume vaccination is unnecessary. Some may be hesitant to commit because the influenza vaccine has to be administered annually.
Nevertheless, ignorance is the main reason, stresses Dr Zulkifli.
At the very least, all the high-risk groups should be vaccinated.
He adds that there was a huge surge in terms of uptake for the influenza vaccine from December last year to January this year before the numbers dropped again due to Covid-19.
"The uptake for the influenza vaccine depends on how often we talk about it, whether more people have friends who have had influenza or if there's an outbreak," he says.
In a family, any child aged less than 5 is at risk of getting influenza. And if you send your child to a nursery, daycare or babysitter, there's a higher risk of infection.
If your child has asthma or problems with the lungs, there's also a higher risk of getting the flu and a higher risk of acquiring complications.
While anyone can get the flu, complications arising from the disease would depend on how bad our immune system is.
PROTECT THE VULNERABLE
Professor Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, who is the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) representative in the Immunise4Life programme, says parents should be aware of the risks and protect their children, especially those who have returned to kindergartens, schools and childcare centres.
"Being around other kids could turn children into mini super flu spreaders. They catch it in school, spread it to their friends, bring it home and infect their younger siblings, parents and grandparents," he says.
In younger children, the flu can lead to life-threatening complications including viral pneumonia, invasive bacterial infections and multi-organ failure.
The Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy (MSIDC) representative in the Immunise4Life programme, Professor Dr Ariza Adnan says flu can be devastating in adults too, especially for those with chronic diseases.
It can exacerbate their pre-existing conditions and possibly trigger a number of life-threatening events, such as stroke, heart attack, a diabetic emergency and respiratory failure.
"Those over 65 are less able to fight off the flu and are more likely to succumb to it," she says.
RISK OF FLU
Chairman of the Malaysian Influenza Working Group, Professor Dr Zamberi Sekawi adds that after months of restricted movement, Malaysians are now easing back into their daily life routines, albeit under the "new normal".
However, there is a risk of catching the flu as people increasingly mingle with each other at work, in schools and atshopping malls.
"This may contribute to a surge in flu cases in the coming months. We can take the necessary precautions – by getting vaccinated against the flu – to protect ourselves."
During the Movement Control Order, there has been a huge drop in the number of flu cases and other preventable diseases so what we are doing to control the spread of Covid-19 can be applied to other diseases as well, and this includes wearing masks, hand washing and physical distancing.
A good and balanced diet coupled with healthy activities will also help strengthen the immune system.
PLEDGE TO PROTECT
Immunise4Life is rallying medical bodies, NGOs and influential individuals together to drive "Making Flu Prevention My New Normal" – a nationwide online pledge campaign urging everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones from influenza.
The campaign, which aims to achieve 300,000 pledges by October, is supported by the Ministry of Health to make flu prevention a priority.
The campaign echoes the World Health Organisation's call to not lose sight of influenza and other significant public health issues amid the current preoccupation with Covid-19.
The campaign is the continuation of the "'Flu Prevention is an Act of Love" that was launched in 2019 by Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and remains Malaysia's largest influenza prevention campaign since 2009 when the A(H1N1) flu pandemic swept the world.
Members of the public are invited to start making flu prevention their new normal by clicking the online pledge button on www.actoflove.ifl.my
FAST FACTS
* In Malaysia, 88 per cent of children hospitalised for the flu are below 5 years old.
* Flu vaccination for children can start from as early as 6 months of age and then annually.
* WHO estimates that about one billion flu cases occur every year with 650,000 deaths worldwide.
* High-risk groups are healthcare workers, young children, pregnant women, the obese, those with chronic diseases and the elderly.