The Ministry of Health: the seasonal rise in the incidence of ARI began in Belarus, vaccination starts in October

From October to April, Belarus traditionally has a season of acute respiratory infections. As expected, there is an upswing. This is reported by the Ministry of Health, writes sb.by.

According to the agency, the increase in the incidence of ARI in comparison with the summer period is natural from year to year: seasonality and the beginning of the school year affect. The age structure of patients is dominated by children - 68.2%. The predominantly non-influenza pathogens are circulating, among which rhinovirus (47.3%), bocavirus (20%) and parainfluenza viruses (14.5%) dominate.

Health organizations are finalizing preparations for annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. The mass campaign will begin in October.

In the 2026/2027 season, the strain composition of influenza vaccines has been completely updated for all three components, in accordance with WHO recommendations. It includes A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09, A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2) and B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria line).

Vaccination is especially important for patients at high risk of severe flu and adverse effects. For them, a vaccine from a centralized republican procurement - Grippol Plus (Russia) will be available. The first batch has already passed mandatory laboratory quality control and enters health care organizations.

At will, at their own expense, quadrivalent drugs are available: Influvak Tetra (Netherlands), Vaksigrip Tetra (France), and against COVID-19 - the Convasel vaccine (Russia). Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines may be used together on the same day.

The optimal time for vaccination is October. The Ministry of Health recommends informing in advance about your desire to the clinic at the place of residence in order to organize the process without haste and queues.

Vaccination and a responsible attitude to health together give the maximum effect. To reduce the risk of infection and spread of ARI during the period of rising incidence, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene and respiratory etiquette - cough and sneeze into a napkin or in the elbow bend, ventilate the premises more often and conduct wet cleaning, adhere to a healthy lifestyle, avoid contact with patients, be outdoors more often and minimize visits to crowded places.