Epidemiologist advises doctors and teachers to get flu shot

Epidemiologist Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Onishchenko called groups of Russians for whom influenza vaccination is especially important. In his opinion, for the formation of herd immunity it is necessary to vaccinate at least 60% of the population of the country. First of all, this applies to people whose work is associated with constant contact, as well as those who are at risk of severe infection.

“For influenza, 60% of the population should be vaccinated. These are people whose professions involve extensive contacts. First of all, they're doctors -- they barely see healthy people. This year, more than 17 million children sat at desks in Russian schools. Thirdly, transport workers, Onishchenko said in an exclusive interview with NEWS.ru.

The academician added that it is especially important to protect children and the elderly with chronic diseases, since they are more likely to have influenza and lead to dangerous complications. According to him, the disease causes serious damage to health and can be fatal, including due to complications from the heart and lungs.

Onishchenko is not the first to draw attention to the need for mass vaccination: he previously stated that 60% of Russians need to be vaccinated for reliable population immunity, and up to 75% in risk groups. He voiced this assessment at a press conference in MIA “Russia today”.

Earlier it was reported that more than 1.5 million St. Petersburg citizens were vaccinated against influenza.