Influenza Influenza vaccination season starts

Influenza: Influenza vaccination season starts

15/10/2014

Soon, the next flu epidemic in Germany could begin. With the onset of autumn, the season for the flu vaccine starts. Various experts regularly call for people from risk groups to be vaccinated. But not everyone agrees.

Minister of Health has been vaccinated
Beer gardens and sidewalk cafés are still not closed and attract many visitors on the warmer days. But soon, the next flu epidemic could start in Germany. Experts advise again and again that in particular people from risk groups should be vaccinated in time. According to experts, October and November are the best time for influenza vaccination. This also means the Hessian Minister of Health Stefan Grüttner, who was vaccinated himself a few days ago. He said: „Now is the best time to come by vaccine the flu before.“ But not all people are in favor of the vaccine.

No predictions for the next flu epidemic
In a message from the news agency AFP, valuable information was collected on the topic. Reportedly, the flu epidemic in recent years usually began in January or February, although the first cases may occur earlier. The length of a flu epidemic is unpredictable. The flu season 2011/12, for example, lasted a total of 19 weeks and thus significantly longer than in many other years. Also the intensity can not predict experts. However, even with a moderate flu epidemic, thousands of people in Germany die annually from the effects of the infection.

People from high-risk groups are recommended vaccination
Those who choose to vaccinate should seek protection in October or November. This is because it takes ten to 14 days for the vaccine protection to be established. However, there is no one hundred percent protection from the vaccine. Especially in the elderly, the immune system is less responsive to vaccinations. Therefore, it can also come in vaccinated influenza, but usually with a milder course. The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends vaccination primarily to elderly people over the age of 60, chronic patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, asthma or cardiovascular disease, medical personnel and pregnant women, as these are among the risk groups. For children and adolescents, a vaccine is available that is not injected, but administered as a nasal spray.

Reservations in Germany
However, there have been great reservations about the flu vaccine in Germany for a long time. This was also shown by a study last year. At that time, a representative study conducted by the Federal Center for Health Education (BzgA) had found that almost half of the respondents had never had themselves vaccinated and that there were doubts about the effectiveness and usefulness of this precautionary measure. Vaccination opponents also point out more often that the risk of infection by influenza viruses can already be reduced by simple hygienic measures. For example, by regular hand washing as well as coughing and sneezing in the crook of the arm or in a disposable handkerchief.

Side effects disappear quickly
Furthermore, attention is drawn to side effects of the vaccine. This can occasionally lead to redness or swelling at the injection site. In addition, shivering, tiredness, nausea or muscle and limb pain can occur in the first three days. Frequently there is also a general sense of illness with symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite and headache. These vaccination reactions usually resolve after one to three days. The vaccine is made up each year from components of the currently circulating three influenza virus strains in the world. This season it is unchanged compared to last year. The protective effect probably only holds one season. The costs for over 60-year-olds and other risk groups, for which a vaccination recommendation applies, are covered by the statutory health funds in each case. Several health insurance companies also pay for all other vaccine users. (Ad)