Influenza season Is the flu vaccine useful?

Influenza season: Is a flu vaccine useful?

24/11/2013

Currently it is called again to be vaccinated against flu. Now is the time to allow the vaccine to work before the next flu episode hits. But the Germans are in this regard vaccination muffle, even in the risk groups can be vaccinated only about half.

Vaccination recommendation for risk groups
It usually comes only from about January to an accumulation of flu cases. However, the best time for a flu shot is now, in the fall, since the body takes about two weeks to build up protection after vaccination. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination primarily to older people over the age of 60, chronic patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, asthma or cardiovascular diseases, medical staff and pregnant women from the second trimester of pregnancy, because they are among the risk groups. Basically, however, with the flu vaccine pros and cons weigh against each other.

Every second refuses influenza vaccine
The motivation to have the vaccine protection administered by the house or company doctor is low in this country. Every second German refuses influenza vaccine, according to the results of a Forsa survey commissioned by the Federal Center for Health Education (BzgA), which revealed that half of the German citizens have never been vaccinated against flu. The numbers are also not significantly better in terms of risk groups. Although three quarters of those affected would know that the vaccine needs to be refreshed each year, only about half of the elderly and 40 percent of the chronically ill would be vaccinated every year. Of the health professionals, only about a quarter of people go to regular vaccination.

Vaccination can protect against severe disease
Respondents indicated their main reason for doubting the efficacy of the vaccine. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and other experts, however, advise vaccination. Even if it does not protect all people from the flu, a vaccine could protect against a serious illness. In addition, there would also be a vaccine „Moderate effectiveness“ as in the past season, prevent a very large number of diseases.

Protection against sinusitis
Wolfgang Hornberger of the Association of Otolaryngologists in Neumünster also points out that a flu vaccine could reduce the risk of catching a sinusitis or a middle ear infection. As the body is able to fend off the influenza virus due to vaccination, the mucous membranes remain intact and thus better able to keep other germs out. The chances for bacteria would thus be less to get through the nose into the sinuses and trigger an inflammation there. According to Hornberger, this also applies to inflammatory bacteria, which could get into the middle ear via the ear trumpet, which connects the nasopharynx with the middle ear.

Children are considered the main carriers
The main vectors of influenza are children who, thanks to their many social contacts in kindergarten, at school or even at home with their parents, siblings and grandparents, can quickly spread the disease. „Children are also referred to as the 'fire of influenza'. They easily become infected and quickly pass on the virus to others around them“, so Professor Wutzler from the Institute of Virology and Antiviral Therapy at the University Hospital Jena.

Vaccination tries to vaccinate as many children as possible
Meanwhile, a nasal spray for children as flu vaccine available. The vaccination office in the UK is currently trying to vaccinate as many children as possible to stem the transmission of the flu. Children aged two to four receive an invitation to the free flu vaccine, which is given to their family doctor with these nasal sprays.

Nasal sprays for children
The spray, which should provide a more comprehensive flu protection according to studies from the United States, is increasingly used in Germany by paediatricians. The STIKO recommends pediatricians since autumn 2013 to use these sprays in children who are recommended for a basic disease vaccination. In contrast to the spray variants, the nasal sprays contain live vaccines. These attenuated viruses, which enter the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, trigger an immune reaction, which means that the body is better prepared when it actually encounters influenza viruses.

Distrust of the flu shot
Opponents of the flu vaccine point among other things to the side effects. For example, the puncture site may redden, hurt and swell slightly. In addition, symptoms such as tiredness, body aches and shivering may occur. And since the inoculants contain, in addition to the active ingredients for the most part, preservatives based on formaldehyde and mercury compounds, there are also considerable reservations among the representatives of natural remedies against comprehensive flu vaccines. In addition, the risk of infection could also be reduced by simple hygienic measures. So regular hand washing is recommended as well as coughing and sneezing in the crook or in a disposable handkerchief. In addition, influenza sufferers should as far as possible avoid close contact with endangered persons. (Ad)