Influenza vaccine does not work so well

Influenza vaccine: weaker effect than expected

03/01/2015

Apparently the flu vaccine does not protect optimally this season. As the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) confirmed, the effect is weaker than expected in a widespread virus type. Many people in Germany are not vaccinated against influenza anyway because they have reservations.

Effect not optimal in this season
Apparently, the flu vaccine does not look optimal this season. This is evident from a message from the news agency dpa. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) informed on request that in one of the three derzeitzirkulierenden virus types with a weaker efficacy must be expected. It also states that this type of A (H3N2) is usually very prevalent. According to the figures, the experts' estimates are based on data from the US and several European countries, including Germany. The news magazine "Focus" had previously reported on it.

Vaccination recommendation for risk groups
However, immunization is still recommended as the vaccines protect against the other viruses. Like every year, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends vaccination for people from certain risk groups. These include people over the age of 60, those chronically ill with basic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma or cardiovascular diseases, medical staff and pregnant women from the second trimester of pregnancy. It has already been pointed out in the past that vaccination does not provide 100% protection.

Influenza viruses are constantly changing
In the agency message one wonders why the current vaccine does not work so well. An RKI expert explained that the flu viruses are subject to constant genetic modification. Therefore, the composition of the vaccine will be reviewed every year. Now, however, the study of the viruses circulating so far showed that the vaccine does not optimally match the virus of type A (H3N2). More specifically, it is said in the dpa report, usually the protein contained in the vaccine must match the surface protein of the pathogen.

Differences between vaccine and pathogen
The fact that differences between the vaccine and the pathogen of the subtype indicated was also confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. Even though the infection numbers in Europe had increased, they nevertheless remained low. As the RKI said, the virus type A (H3N2) is the most widespread in Germany and several other countries and has often led to severe flu epidemics. However, as there is no one hundred percent protection against influenza from vaccination anyway, some experts recommend that you keep fit through a healthy lifestyle, such as exercise and a balanced diet, to strengthen the immune system to be better prepared for various infections.

Reservations against flu vaccination
As a protective measure, it is also recommended to follow certain hygiene rules. Thus, the risk of infection can be reduced by avoiding the coughing or annoying of people as possible, paper instead of handkerchiefs be used and is often ventilated. It is also important to wash your hands thoroughly over and over again. Critics regularly refer to the potential side effects of the flu shot. Among other things, this can lead to reddening and swelling of the puncture site, fatigue, muscle and limb pain, nausea, headache, fever or loss of appetite. Germans seem to have great reservations about the flu vaccine anyway. In the previous year, a representative study conducted by the Federal Center for Health Education (BzgA) found that nearly half of the respondents had never been vaccinated and that there were doubts about the effectiveness and usefulness of this precautionary measure. (Ad)