Flu vaccine only for seniors

Flu vaccine is recommended for seniors

29/10/2014

According to a report of the "Ärzte Zeitung" seniors over 60 are age-threatened, especially by infections. These are comparatively more difficult than younger people. Impflücken also promote infections. According to the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria is recommended against pertussis. In addition, older people are recommended to have an annual influenza vaccine despite a low efficacy of only 30-50%.

Vaccination rates generally too low
As reported by the doctors newspaper, vaccination rates in Germany are far too low. Most of the registered tetanus cases are due to lack of vaccine protection in the elderly, e.g. injured in gardening. Particularly important is "the vaccination for seniors, if they look after infants". For example, adult children would be infected frequently and a pertussis infection can be life-threatening or fatal for babies, for example.

Influenza vaccines only moderately efficient
Overall, the efficacy of influenza vaccinations leaves much to be desired, depending primarily on whether the current types of vaccine vaccine „covered“ become. According to study data, 50-80 percent of the vaccinated are protected, but among seniors there are only 30-50 percent who are protected against the potentially fatal virus infection. Nevertheless, the chairman of the STIKO Jan Leidel on the importance of vaccinations: "Despite all the criticism of the vaccine, it is the best protection we have."

In addition to trivalent vaccines and tetravalent vaccines, immunogenic vaccines are recommended. The statutory health insurance companies, however, would only bear the cost of trivalent vaccines. Especially when traveling but immunogenic vaccines would be appropriate, even outside the flu season. More people pick up during the flu season in nursing homes. Not only is STIKO's recommended vaccination protection for senior citizens missing, but also for nursing staff. The favored doctors according to outbreaks in nursing homes, so the doctors newspaper on. Therefore, the RKI demands an increase in the vaccination quotas of seniors and staff. In addition, the RKI recommends the award of antiviral prophylaxis.

Weigh pros and cons
While the RKI recommends flu shots despite moderate effectiveness, opponents of the vaccine, especially naturopathic practitioners, point out the side effects of inoculations and symptoms such as fatigue and body aches and the fact that many vaccines contain toxic preservatives such as formaldehyde and mercury compounds. They recommend the risk of infection through simple hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing or coughing and sneezing at elbow bend and disposable handkerchiefs. In addition, patients should avoid contact with risk groups. (Jp)