Vienna well prepared for this year's flu epidemic – Vienna

During the 2017/2018 influenza season, the supply of quadruple vaccine due to uncertainty has been hampered – "today" reported. Michael Binder, Technical Director of the Vienna Hospital Association, promised this year: "There are enough supplies to protect all Austrians who want it with the quadruple vaccine against the influenza virus" Yamagata " ",

+++ The main questions and answers to the influenza vaccine +++

To better prepare for this year's flu wave, the city, in collaboration with key players in the Viennese health sector, has put in place a series of measures to ensure the best possible care for Viennese. "We are well prepared for this year's flu outbreak – from hospital to vaccination," said Binder.

For the current influenza season, additional capacity will be added. "In addition to the pediatric emergency services in the AKH hospital's outpatient clinics and in the Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Spital, three prescriptions will be opened this weekend," explains Peter Voitl, representative of the Medical Association of Vienna.

Vaccine on the scale of the area and (presumably) no walking bed

"Influenza vaccination is a community-based vaccine, which means that the larger the number of people vaccinated, the smaller the population," Binder said. In addition to the national supply of vaccines, the KAV also promises "good bed management". This is to prevent flu patients from having to be temporarily housed in driveway beds. "If the epidemic does not manifest itself in an extreme way this year, I did not expect it this year," Binder said.

Experts advise all Viennese to be vaccinated against influenza

The KAV recommends all Viennese to vaccinate, but especially to children and people already elderly or suffering from a chronic illness. The protective effect appears between ten and 14 days after vaccination.

"Studies show that influenza in existing heart disease increases the risk of heart attack by six, but can be halved by a flu shot, and the risk of fatal heart attack is even reduced by 70%." Christoph. Wenisch, head of the infectious and tropical diseases department of the Kaiser Franz-Josef-Spital (Favoriten).

"The influenza vaccine is the best precaution against the flu," said Barbara Hörnlein, doctor of the Vienna Regional Health Insurance Fund, and Peter Voitl, a member of the Vienna Medical Association.

WGKK, the city of Vienna and its region offer vaccinations

Since early October, Viennese have been vaccinated against influenza by their doctors (doctors or pediatricians), by the facilities of the MA15 – City of Vienna Health Service or by the Vienna Regional Health Insurance Fund . "In our four health centers, we offer all insured WGKK a free vaccination service, the vaccine must be brought," said Hörnlein.

Beginning of the flu epidemic from 9,000 diseases

There is currently no indication of an influenza epidemic in Europe. "We are also monitoring influenza illnesses in Australia, precisely because they can be an indicator of outbreaks of domestic flu, and since it was relatively healthy this year, we are also expecting a milder influenza season in Australia." Vienna, "says Wenisch.

"The influenza virus service of the City of Vienna monitors the evolution of influenza illnesses since 1970. Between October and April, registered doctors report the number of patients with influenza or extrapolated by the MA15 and sent to the partners of the capacities necessary to take care of the patients ", explains Ursula Karnthaler of MA15.

Once the limit of 9,000 new cases is reached, the flu epidemic has officially begun. This is called by the virology center of the Vienna University of Medicine.

As soon as this happens, the KAV will prepare the pre-prepared flu plans. This includes, for example, defining one's own influenza centers and observing the situation through "flu tips" in hospitals.

Consultation with the health phone

The city of Vienna, the WGKK and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Health offer free health phone number 1450. 24 hours a day, specially trained employees answer questions, draw up an initial badessment of the disease and guide patients in the right place in the health sector.

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