In fresh weeks, Poland has seen a crucial increase in the number of flu cases. According to e-health data, in January doctors recognized about 50,000 cases of influenza per week, 5 times more than in November. The most common kind of influenza is influenza kind A, and above all subtype H1N1.
In many hospitals in Poland, including the Provincial Children's infirmary in Olsztyn, the University Children's infirmary in Lublin and others, there is simply a crucial increase in the number of hospitalizations of children due to influenza and its complications. Many medical institutions have decided to limit visits to prevent further spread of the flu.
Prof. Ernest Kuchar, head of the Pediatric Clinic with the Observative Branch at the Warsaw Medical University, reported that about 90 percent of the patients of this ward are children with flu, many of whom require hospitalisation due to severe flu, specified as pneumonia or neurological complications.
According to the Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Kielce, more than 2,000 cases of influenza were reported in the region in the first half of January 2025. Many hospitals in Poland, including the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Provincial infirmary of Kielce, have reported a crucial increase in the number of hospitalizations of patients due to flu and another respiratory tract infections.
Doctors and specialists emphasize that vaccination is inactive the most effective method of protection against influenza. Free vaccines are available for children aged 6 months to 18 years, for 65 years of age, and for pregnant women and midwives. With 50 percent refund, the vaccine can be bought by all adults aged 18-64.
In the context of influenza, it is worth remembering the basic principles of prevention, specified as:
* frequent washing of hands
* usage of protective masks
* Avoiding large gatherings of people
* avoiding close contact with sick people
* maintaining appropriate hygiene
The level of graftability recommended by the planet wellness Organisation in hazard groups should be 75 percent. Unfortunately, in Poland the interest in vaccinations is low, and last period only 5.5 percent of Poles were vaccinated in autumn-winter vaccinations.
It is besides worth remembering that vaccination does not warrant 100% protection against influenza, but importantly reduces the hazard of illness and severe disease. According to data from the National Institute of Public Health, about 70 to 100 people die of flu and its complications annually, but in fact there are more deaths caused by flu.
Therefore, in the context of influenza, it is crucial to:
* Vaccination
* adhere to hygiene rules
* Avoiding close contact with the sick
* keep adequate hygiene
* usage available protection measures
All these measures can aid prevent influenza and its complications as well as reduce the hazard of death due to influenza.
Read more:
Influenza in Poland: Number of cases besides among Children