Flu cases rise in Catalonia with very high level of transmission

Cases of flu in Catalonia keep spreading rapidly, with 375 infections per 100,000 inhabitants, a very high level of transmission according to SIVIC, the information system for infections surveillance. 

The peak of the epidemic should arrive in the coming days, the Catalan Health Department says.  

Last year, the peak was reached a few days earlier, with 363 cases per 100,000 residents. 

Respiratory infections have increased in the past days in Catalonia, with the flu being the most predominant infection, with 38% of cases.  

Flu vaccination 

Only 37% of people over 60 years old and people with risk factors have been vaccinated against the flu this season, a figure practically identical to last year, according to SIVIC data. 

However, coverage for these dates in 2021 reached 45% and in 2022, 43%. 

This year, the coverage is greater among people over 70 years old, according to SIVIC, with 65% of the people over 80 being vaccinated. 

The vaccine is also recommended for children from 6 months to 5 years old, around one third of whom are currently vaccinated, and for pregnant or recently pregnant women. 

This season’s vaccination campaign was carried out along with the Covid-19 vaccine, aiming at people particularly at risk for complications should they catch those viruses. 

This applies to elderly people and pregnant women but also healthcare professionals likely to contaminate vulnerable people.