Every second German refuses influenza vaccine

Every second German makes no flu shot

10/31/2013

The winter months are approaching and thus there is flu again. Experts recommend these days, therefore, to get vaccinated. A representative study carried out by the Federal Center for Health Education (BzgA) found that nearly half of those surveyed have never had themselves vaccinated and that there are doubts about the effectiveness and usefulness of this precautionary measure. It has also been shown in the past that the vaccine can not protect all people from severe colds. For those considering vaccine protection, this is the time to go, as it takes about two weeks for the body to build up protection, the BzgA said.

Vaccination is only recommended for at-risk groups
A vaccine is recommended especially for the so-called risk groups, ie persons over 60 years, chronically ill people, pregnant women as well as for medical personnel. In the end, only half of the elderly and 40 percent of the chronically ill can be vaccinated every year. After all, 75 percent of respondents know that a flu shot every year has to be refreshed. The study, conducted by the Forsa Research Institute in the summer of 2012, surveyed a total of 4,483 between the ages of 16 and 85 years.

Also, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recommends a vaccine. Even with the knowledge that not all people can be saved from the flu, you are at least protected from serious illnesses. Even a moderate vaccine, as it has been used in recent years, prevents a very large number of diseases and saves the economy billions in losses, the Institute said.

Influenza can lead to serious complications in pregnant women
The BZgA advises pregnant women to vaccinate. They are particularly susceptible to influenza infections because their diminished immune defense serves as a safeguard against fouling off the fetus as a foreign body. Of course this carries the risk of getting flu more quickly. to get sick. It makes sense to get vaccinated from the fourth month.

If pregnant women also suffer from chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure, it is the vaccination in the first trimester of pregnancy to perform. If an expectant mother catches an influenza, it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. In order to keep the risk for pregnant women as low as possible, all other family members and all close contact persons should be vaccinated, "recommends Ulrich Fegeler from the Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ) in Cologne. A study from Austarlia has identified the greatest risk for infants of unvaccinated siblings visiting a daycare center. Kindergartens and baby groups are still the ideal place to catch an influenza. (Fr)