Norway’s FHI asks municipalities to prepare for a strong flu season

Photo: Sara Johannessen Meek / NTB

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) is asking all municipalities to ensure that flu vaccines are offered to risk groups. This applies especially to children.

Last year, vaccine coverage was at a record high level, except for one group: children. Under one in ten children in risk groups were vaccinated, according to the FHI.

“The offer must be strengthened, both locally and nationally,” the FHI noted.

The coming winter can be very unpredictable when it comes to influenza, FHI’s Trine Hessevik Paulsen told ABC Nyheter. The uncertainty concerns both the scope of the epidemic and its beginning.

“We should be prepared that there could be a stronger flu outbreak this winter season,” she said.

“There are still an unusual number of children who have never encountered the flu virus before,” she pointed out.

The flu season normally starts in November and peaks around Christmas time.

“Last season, the flu outbreak came as late as March; such a late flu outbreak has never before been registered in Norway,” Hessevik Paulsen added.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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