Flu season is underway – get vaccinated and take precautions

The Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has declared an influenza epidemic in Latvia as of 12 January. The Centre stresses that vaccination is the most effective way to protect against a serious case of the flu as well as Covid-19 and encourages people who are at high risk of health problems to take advantage of the vaccination provided by the state.

Vaccination is still recommended despite the influenza epidemic, as flu epidemics usually last 10 weeks and vaccine-induced immunity develops already within 10-14 days. Therefore, a person can benefit from vaccination even if they have not received it before the start of the flu season.

The Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) calls for general recommendations to limit the spread of Covid-19 and other acute upper respiratory tract infections:

• observe good hand hygiene - wash or disinfect your hands frequently, and avoid touching your face with dirty hands;   
• ventilate rooms several times a day, opening windows wide to allow fresh air to circulate as much as possible;  
• use appropriate cleaning and disinfecting products, and clean and disinfect all objects and surfaces that are frequently touched by people (door handles, taps, table tops, chair backs, etc.) especially carefully;  
• try to keep a distance and avoid crowded public places;  
• cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of it in the bin after use, then wash your hands;  
• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection;   
• monitor your own health and do not go to work with even the slightest signs of respiratory tract infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, raised body temperature), avoid contact with other people and do not go to public places;  
• a person with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection is advised to self-isolate while experiencing symptoms (especially raised body temperature) and for three additional days. If symptoms persist for more than seven days, the additional three days do not apply. If a Covid-19 test is positive without symptoms, self-isolation for three days from the day after the test is recommended;  
• contact persons of Covid-19 patients are advised to stay at home and out of contact with other people for seven days after the last contact. If this is not possible, please be responsible for the health of others and wear a FFP2 mask or higher in public places, including when working in a room with more than one person. Remember that a person infected with Covid-19 becomes infectious two days before symptoms appear and wearing a mask in such cases greatly reduces the risk of infection to other people;  
• allow employees to work remotely if they experience acute respiratory tract infection symptoms or have come into contact with a Covid-19 patient;
• healthcare facilities and workplaces may advise staff and visitors to wear a medical mask or respirator indoors when physical distancing is not possible;
• consider vaccination against seasonal influenza and Covid-19 infection. This is recommended for all employees and students, but strongly recommended for people in risk groups (over 65 years of age, people with chronic diseases and pregnant women).

Seasonal vaccination against influenza and Covid-19 infection is currently actively taking place in Latvia. RSU staff and students are invited to get vaccinated against influenza and Covid-19 at the RSU Health Centre. The RSU staff health insurance covers the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine is free. The Comirnaty vaccine (PfizerBioNTech) is currently available nationwide. The flu vaccine and Covid-19 can be given at the same time.

Sign up for a vaccination at the RSU Health Centre via e-mail: rsuambulancersu[pnkts]lv

To reduce the risk of severe illness and death, it is recommended for everyone to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza and Covid-19, but it is especially recommended for people who have acute upper respiratory tract infections that are often severe and are at high risk of complications, according to the SPKC.

Please note that you can also get the flu and Covid-19 vaccines at GP practices and vaccination centres.

Read more about the epidemiological situation in the country (in Latvian)