Intrest in influenza and influenza like illnesses in Poland 2016-2021 based on Google Trend's data analysis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Influenza and Influenza Like Illness (ILI) are viral diseases that show seasonality in incidence. Influenza can be effectively prevented with immunization. Vaccination is recommended for risk groups, especially for the elderly, immunocompromised population, with chronic diseases and pregnant women. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the study was to assess interest in influenza and influenza vaccine in Poland by users of the Google search engine over the last five years using the Google Trends (GT) tool. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data collected from Google Trends (GT) over a five-year period beginning on 11/9/2016 was analyzed. The time trend analysis focused at four phrases in Polish "grypa", "grypa objawy", "szczepionka przeciw grypie" and "szczepionka na grypę", which can be translated into English, as; "flu", "flu symptoms", "flu vaccine", and a colloquial phrase meaning "against the flu vaccine". RESULTS: Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a seasonal increase in inquiries is evident, mimicking the increase in influenza and ILI cases or an increase in interest in the topic during the season in which prophylaxis is carried out using available vaccines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the seasonal interest in the above topic was disrupted. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were changes in the search terms in Polish. This included the timing and amount of queries related to influenza-themed expressions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in influenza and ILI queries during the period of increased incidence of COVID-19.