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Get ahead of the Flu – with a Vaccination!

19 / 2021

In autumn 2021, flu vaccination is particularly important against the background of the Corona pandemic. The Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesgesunheitsministerium, BMG), the Federal Centre for Health Education (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung, BZgA), the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) are therefore calling on people with an increased risk of the severe course of influenza in particular to get vaccinated now.

Arzt impft eine Person (Quelle: Alesandro Guerriero / shutterstock.com)

Professor Dr Klaus Cichutek, President of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, says: "With a total of over 26 million vaccine doses planned for the 2021/22 season, we will - as in previous years - be reliably prepared for the upcoming flu season with high-quality, safe and effective vaccines in Germany. By 4 October 2021, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut has already released 22.8 million vaccine doses after successful batch testing. We publish the progress of the batch release continuously at Doses of Vaccines 2023/2024. Everyone who wants to be vaccinated against influenza can and should also take advantage of the flu vaccination in the coming season."

Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn emphasises: "Almost as important as the Corona vaccination is a second vaccination for this autumn and winter - the flu vaccination. Too large a wave of flu this winter has the risk of exacerbating the consequences and burdens of the fourth Corona wave. We should avoid an additional burden on the intensive care units at all costs. Therefore, I appeal especially to all elderly people, pregnant women, people with previous illnesses and also to medical staff: get vaccinated against influenza! This protects yourself and others. And you protect our health system from being overburdened."

Flu is caused by influenza viruses. The 2020/21 flu wave has failed worldwide - the coronavirus protective measures have also successfully contained the influenza viruses. However, this may make our immune systems less prepared this winter for the influenza viruses circulating then. Therefore, people at increased health risk, including people over 60, pregnant women and chronically ill people of all ages, should get vaccinated against influenza in October, November or the first half of December. This also applies to medical and nursing staff who have an occupational risk of infection.

Professor Dr Martin Dietrich, Acting Director of the BZgA, says: "In order to encourage as many people as possible to get vaccinated against influenza now, we are motivating people with posters, advertisements and waiting room posters and providing information at www.impfen-info.de/grippeimpfung as well as in social networks. We are calling for flu vaccination so that people over 60, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses in particular can protect themselves. Because this year it is also true: get ahead of the flu - with a vaccination."

The effectiveness of a flu vaccination can be lower in older people. To offer this group of people better protection against flu infection and possible complications, a high-dose flu vaccine was developed for them. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Ständige Impfkommission, STIKO) recommends this vaccine for all people over the age of 60. In addition, simultaneous vaccination against influenza and protection against COVID-19 is possible.

Professor Dr Lothar H. Wieler, President of the RKI, adds: "The flu vaccination is the best protection, even if the effectiveness may vary from season to season. But even the basic measures against COVID-19 – distance, hygiene, everyday life with a mask and ventilation – reduce the risk of contracting influenza viruses. In clinics and nursing homes, flu protection is especially important - for employees and for those being cared for. Everyone over 60 should be vaccinated not only against influenza and COVID-19, but also against pneumococcus."

The real flu is a serious illness that should not be confused with a cold: After contracting the flu virus, about two-thirds of those affected fall ill and develop symptoms of the disease, some of which are severe, such as a sudden high fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius, a dry, irritating cough, headache, sore throat and muscle aches, fatigue or sweating. Older people in particular, however, often do not develop typical signs of illness, which is why they and other at-risk patients should always be tested for influenza if in doubt - even if they have been vaccinated. Antiviral therapy and post-exposure prophylaxis are also available for vulnerable groups. Even people who do not develop signs of illness can infect others with influenza.

The BZgA information material, which was developed together with the Robert Koch Institute, can be accessed online or ordered free of charge from the BZgA, partly also in foreign languages such as Turkish, Russian, English and Arabic.Information material on flu vaccination of the BZgA

Updated: 06.10.2021