by Maria Spiliopoulou, Valentini Anagnostopoulou

ATHENS, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Greece has an adequate supply of vaccines this year, but many Greeks still underestimate the risk of flu complications and do not get inoculated, even though, according to the latest official statistics, 56 people have died from flu-related complications during the current flu season, local experts told Xinhua on Monday.

The overwhelming majority of the victims belonged to population segments at higher risk for complications, according to Greece's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO).

KEELPNO epidemiologist Thodoris Lytras underlined the importance of vaccination, in particular for this part of the population.

To date, 2 million people in the country of 10.7 million have been vaccinated. However, Greece has still not reached the World Health Organization's 75 percent inoculation threshold for people at greater risk of suffering from serious symptoms, the expert explained.

Precise data on the percentage of people belonging to this group who have not been vaccinated are still not available.

"Our performance is better than last year. The number of people who have been vaccinated has increased, but we still have quite some distance to cover," Lytras said.

Asked why not enough Greeks are getting vaccinated, the expert explained that lack of availability is not an excuse as the influenza vaccine is free of charge for all and there are no shortages in pharmacies.

In addition, most Greeks are convinced of the safety of these vaccines, so there are no anti-vaccination sentiments.

"Most likely it is a matter of low perception of the risks. Many people do not do it, because they think that the flu is not that serious, so I don't need to get vaccinated. This is what we need to change," Lytras said.

So far, 226 serious cases of flu have been recorded by KEELPNO, including 219 patients treated in intensive care units. Only 29 had had the flu vaccine administered.

During the previous 2017-2018 flu season, KEELPNO recorded 42 fatalities, down from 108 in the 2016-2017 winter season. There were 197 flu-related fatalities in 2015-2016.

"We are talking about a natural force, which is constantly developing, is constantly mutated. This means that the influenza virus will always be one step ahead and measures should constantly be implemented with seriousness in order to cover and shield people," Giannis Dagres, member of the Board of Directors of the Pharmacists' Association of Attica region and the Pan-Hellenic Association of Pharmacists, told Xinhua.

"This season we have received about 25 percent more flu vaccines in Greece than in the past, and more beds are also available in intensive care units," he said.

In a press statement, the Pan-Hellenic Association of Pharmacists called for more efficient education to make sure that people, especially those suffering from chronic illnesses, get vaccinated preferably in the autumn before the start of the flu season, since it takes about three weeks before the vaccine shields the recipient.

Flu activity remains high in Greece, nearing its peak, Lyras said. The flu season is expected to end in March this year. Enditem

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