Ministry Of Health Forecasts Increase In Flu Incidence At End Of December.

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) This was reported to Ukrinform by Oleksandr Zaika, a specialist at the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health.

“At the beginning of October, the epidemic season for influenza and acute respiratory infections (ARI) begins and will last until May. Right now, there is heightened attention to acute respiratory viral infections. In addition to influenza and COVID-19, many other viral illnesses can cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or coronavirus. However, at this time, we are not receiving confirmations of influenza cases from the Public Health Center. Instead, we continue to receive confirmations regarding the circulation of subvariants of the Omicron strain of coronavirus disease - Stratus and Nimbus,” Zaika noted.

According to him, about 14,000 COVID-19 cases were laboratory-confirmed last week. This figure is lower than in previous weeks and is one and a half times lower than in the same period last year.

Currently, patients hospitalized are primarily those who were not vaccinated against COVID-19 or those who belong to high-risk groups, the specialist emphasized.

“When we talk about hospitalization and the need for hospitalization - that is, the provision of specialized medical care in healthcare facilities - as a rule, we are referring to cases where patients are either unvaccinated, elderly, or have comorbidities. At present, the medical system is prepared to provide the necessary qualified care on site. We are not seeing any excessive burden of patients or hospitalizations with such symptoms right now,” Zaika remarked.

He also reminded us that COVID-19 and influenza present with different symptoms. Influenza usually starts very acutely, with a rapid onset of fever. Coronavirus symptoms develop gradually and include cough and sore throat.

According to Zaika, preliminary forecasts suggest that an increase in flu incidence is expected at the end of December. At the beginning of the epidemic season, citizens are advised to take preventive measures against acute respiratory infections, in particular, to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19. As he emphasized, vaccination helps prevent severe complications of these diseases, especially among people with cardiovascular and chronic conditions.

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The specialist stressed that vaccination against COVID-19 remains free of charge for Ukrainians.

According to Zaika, Pfizer vaccines are available in all regions. He noted that vaccination against COVID-19 does not protect against influenza, while flu shots are not free of charge for Ukrainians. At the same time, employers and local authorities may procure doses for employees and at-risk groups - pregnant women, people over 65, and children under five. The Ministry of Health recommends getting vaccinated at the beginning of the epidemic season, that is, in late September or early October. However, vaccination against flu and COVID-19 can be done throughout the entire epidemic season, he reminded.

Currently, pharmacies already have 76,000 doses of flu vaccine from a Korean manufacturer available, and vaccines from a French manufacturer are expected shortly.

As reported by Ukrinform, according to the Public Health Center, in the 2025/2026 epidemic season, the circulation of typical classical strains of influenza A and B is expected

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