"As autumn turns to winter, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the European Commission and the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) are sending a clear and urgent message: people who remain unprotected from both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, especially the most vulnerable and at risk, should accept any offer of vaccination to prevent or mitigate the effects of these jointly circulating respiratory infections," the document published by the organization says.

According to WHO, in the winter of 2022, excessive mortality was recorded due to these two diseases, many young and elderly people died from infections.

More than 90% of the reported deaths from COVID-19 occur in persons aged 65 years and older. The organization clarifies that the risk groups include people with concomitant diseases, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and the elderly.

"Vaccination remains the strongest remedy against both influenza and COVID-19. It is extremely important to launch targeted vaccination campaigns to reach people at risk ahead of the winter season, including the possibility to combine vaccination with vaccine boosters against COVID-19," the document quotes the words of the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides.