PREVENTION OF SEASONAL INFLUENZA IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

The registered incidence of influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ARD) in Bulgaria remains low in the epidemic period of time during 2020-2021, in the absence of a clear epidemic curve. For the first year during the winter season, influenza viruses were not detected. Continuation of restrictive and preventive measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in influenza vaccination coverage enable maintaining the influenza activity at low levels during the winter season. It is required to perform a thorough assessment of the effectiveness of preventive and anti-epidemic measures and the possibilities for their implementation in the following seasons to limiting the spread of influenza and ARD.