Prof. Georgi Popov, a specialist in infectious and internal diseases, says COVID-19 is spreading faster than flu at the moment. In high-risk groups, it is doing as much damage as COVID-19 did five or six years ago. He says flu vaccines arrived late, but getting vaccinated in November is still not too late.

In early October, the health ministry told BTA that 70,000 doses of flu vaccine for the open market would arrive in Bulgaria in November.

The previous development: 70,000 doses of flu vaccine for the open market arrive in November

Nasal vaccines for children came around 5 October. The other deliveries were expected between 9 and 13 October, and 150,000 doses for programmes for older people reached Bulgaria only on 22 October. Prof. Popov called the delay worrying, but he believes supplies will meet demand. The shortage is pushing some people to look for a vaccine in Greece and other neighbouring countries, where pharmacies also give the jab. The doctor stresses that buying, carrying and giving the vaccine each have their own requirements, and the storage rules must be followed.

In recent years, flu has peaked later, in the second half of January and in February. This year the peak could come earlier. The virus spreads slightly more easily, but that does not mean the illness is more severe. The doctor advises against putting off the vaccine until early or mid-January, when flu is already active.

The flu virus keeps changing, and the strains in December may differ from those in earlier months. The World Health Organization tracks flu worldwide, records cases and forecasts the strains for the next season.

Flu occurs all year, with only isolated cases outside the season. Prof. Popov says that by the time an epidemic starts, many people should already have met the virus. Otherwise children catch it en masse and pass it on to adults and other vulnerable people. The more people are vaccinated, the harder it is for the disease to spread, and the better protected are older people, children and people with naturally lowered immunity.

The doctor definitely recommends the vaccine for children who often fall ill in nursery, kindergarten and early primary school. For healthier, hardier children with good immunity, it can wait.

Flu usually starts suddenly, with headache, high fever, sore throat, runny nose and cough. Complications are possible. Antibiotics do not cure flu and are given only for complications.

COVID-19 is often mild, with an irritated throat or a slight runny nose and no fever. In people with chronic illness, small children, older people and pregnant women, it again damages the cardiovascular system, mainly the blood vessels, and can cause neurological damage. Neither should be underestimated.

On the coming vote, Prof. Popov advises people with mild symptoms to wear a mask and carry hand sanitiser, and those with severe symptoms to stay at home. He recommends not crowding outside polling stations and airing rooms regularly. Masks and sanitiser are also welcome for anyone who wants to protect themselves.

The doctor also commented on the Shamonda virus, which affects cattle, spreads through midges and rarely infects people. France has reported one patient infected with it. With bird flu, spread from animals to people is possible, but there has so far been no spread from person to person.