The directors of two EU health agencies called on citizens to protect their health through vaccination and other preventive measures in view of the anticipated co-circulation of viruses in the coming months.
As the autumn season approaches, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) hold a joint press briefing on Thursday (21 September) with executive directors Emer Cooke and Andrea Ammon, respectively, to provide the latest information on respiratory diseases as well as vaccines and treatments available in the EU/EEA.
“Europe will soon see the arrival of autumn and winter, where we anticipate a resurgence of seasonal influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus),” Andrea Ammon warned. “We are also seeing small increases in SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the EU/EEA and anticipate that all three viruses will co-circulate in the coming months.”
In early September, increasing SARS-CoV-2 transmission (COVID-19) had been reported by more than half of EU/EEA countries. These increases are likely contributed to by factors such as increased travel and large gatherings during the summer months, as well as waning immunity to infection following a long period of low virus circulation.
It is particularly important to keep a close eye on COVID-19 in older age groups, she underlined. Out of 16 countries reporting data on age-specific case counts, nine have seen case numbers rise in people aged 80 and above and 12 countries in people 65 years and above. These increases have lasted one to eight weeks up to 10 September 2023.
COVID-19 deaths in absolute terms remain low compared to levels reported earlier in the pandemic. However, four out of 12 EU/EEA countries with age-specific death data have reported small, recent increases in deaths among people aged 65 years and above.
The observed increases in SARS-CoV-2 transmission coincide with the emergence and dominance of a group of related Omicron sub-lineages, that are referred to as XBB.1.5-like variants carrying the F456L mutation.
In addition, a new Omicron sub-lineage, BA.2.86 was sporadically detected in August within and outside the EU/EEA. Although only a few cases have been confirmed globally, low-level community transmission of this variant is suspected in multiple countries. The variant is highly divergent from currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, which could lead to increased reinfections.
“Luckily, we are better prepared now”, said EMA director Emer Cooke. She referred to the recent approval by EMA’s human medicines committee of an adapted Spikevax vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant. The vaccine (Spikevax XBB.1.5) also protects against other variants and is to be used for preventing COVID-19 in adults and children from 6 months of age.
On the positive side, there is no indication for now that infection with the newe variants can cause more severe illness or make vaccines less effective against severe disease when compared to previously circulating variants. However, older people and those with underlying conditions are still at higher risk of severe outcomes if they get infected.
There is also an increase in the number of people going to their doctors with flu-like symptoms in many countries, with current levels being comparable to those in the same period last year. There are also new vaccines against flu.
“Despite uncertainties as to how the 2023/2024 season will evolve, we need to act now to minimise the expected burden on healthcare systems caused by co-circulation of respiratory viruses. It is important that priority groups get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza, in line with national recommendations, and combined autumn vaccination campaigns should be considered.”
The focus should be on vaccinating people who are more at risk of having severe disease caused by influenza and COVID-19, including older individuals, people with weakened immune systems and underlying conditions, irrespective of age, as well as those who are pregnant.
ECDC modelling shows that an autumn COVID-19 vaccination campaign with high vaccine uptake targeting individuals aged 60 years and above could prevent an estimated 21 to 32 percent of all COVID-19-related hospitalisations across EU/EEA countries until February 2024.
Vaccination of healthcare workers should also be considered, in line with national recommendations, because of their likely increased exposure to new waves of COVID-19 and influenza, and their key role in the functioning of healthcare systems. Vaccination saves lives, decreases the chances of being infected and reduces the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and influenza.
In additional, the personal protective measures used during the COVID-19 pandemic could also help keep respiratory viruses at bay.
“We continue to urge everyone to protect themselves by taking simple but effective measures such as cleaning hands regularly and wearing well-fitting masks - particularly when in healthcare settings or crowded closed settings with inadequate ventilation”, the ECDC director said. "Staying away from others when ill with a respiratory virus is also important.”
The uptake of vaccines has not been very high recently, she admitted, and recommended the member states to carry out regular vaccination campaigns, in particular among the risk groups.
Asked by The Brussels Times about the best timing of the vaccinations, she replied that it has always been difficult to forecast the peak of the influenza period. “The timing depends on the epidemiological situation in each country. Our advice gives options, including co-vaccination against COVID-19 and influenza for logistical reasons, but the vaccines can also be taken at separate occasions.”
“We cannot afford to be complacent, and by taking the necessary steps, we can prepare ourselves – at the EU level and within each country,” ECDC director Ammon concluded.
The Brussels Times
