After the flu epidemic is from flu epidemic - now use protection options

Anyone who wants to protect themselves from influenza must now take action

334,000 laboratory-confirmed flu cases with influenza viruses were reported last winter 2017/2018. Almost 60,000 people had to be hospitalized in hospitals. In 1,665 people, the infection ended fatally - as hard hit the flu epidemic Germany. In order not to repeat this severe wave of infection, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) now provides timely information on suitable measures to avoid.

The current season report of the Working Group on Influenza (AGI) of the Robert Koch Institute with its extensive evaluations shows how exceptionally hard the last flu epidemic has raged. In particular, older and weakened individuals can develop a severe course, which often ends in death. For this reason, particularly vulnerable groups of people should now take appropriate protective measures, advises the RKI.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, a flu vaccine is one of the most effective defense against influenza viruses. Especially elderly people, pregnant women, the chronically ill and medical staff should make use of this vaccine according to the RKI recommendation. (Image: eyeQ / fotolia.com)

Nine million doctor visits because of the flu

The last flu epidemic not only claimed countless victims, it also led the entire health care apparatus to its limits. "For example, there were an estimated nine million influenza-related visits to the doctor," RKI experts report. This is two million more than in the flu season 2012/13 and 2014/15, which were also already considered particularly strong.

RKI President calls for better use of safeguards

"The protection options must be better used," warns RKI President Lothar H. Wieler in a press release. A flu vaccine is the most important protective measure despite its seasonal effectiveness. In addition, the RKI President recommends regular and proper hand washing with soap so that pathogens on the hands do not get into the organism. It is also advisable to keep patients in front of a distance to reduce the risk of infection.

For whom is a vaccine advisable?

Although the vaccine does not provide 100% protection, it is currently the most effective measure against aggressive viruses, according to RKI data. "No other vaccine can save more lives in this country," emphasizes Wieler. According to recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO), the following groups of people should be vaccinated against influenza viruses:

• All persons over 60 years old,
• chronically ill of all ages,
• pregnant woman,
• Medical and nursing staff.

Influenza is still underestimated

Many people confuse a serious flu with a cold (flu infection). The low vaccination rates show that the real flu is taken too lightly too often. As the RKI reports, in the flu season 2016/2017 61.4 percent of all doctors were vaccinated. For nurses, in therapeutic occupations and in the age group over 60 years, only one in three people was vaccinated.

The age group from 35 years is often affected

As the RKI reports show, the burden of a flu epidemic on the entire economic and health care system has never been as high as last season. According to RKI data, the age group 35 years and older was also particularly affected. Overall, about 5.3 million sick leave caused massive economic damage. The hospitals also reached their limits. In the intensive care units, significantly more patients with severe acute respiratory illnesses had to be admitted than in the previous years.

Why did the last season's vaccine not work effectively??

The National Reference Center for Influenza at RKI investigates and characterizes the prevalent circulating influenza viruses based on samples from patients. So it turned out last season that already dominated from the beginning of the influenza B virus of the so-called Yamagata line. Vaccination against this type of virus has not been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and thus protection has not been included in the standard vaccine.

The upcoming vaccine should work better

In January 2018, the STIKO published a recommendation for the so-called quadruple vaccine, which aims to improve protection against influenza B viruses. "Because the production of flu vaccines takes several months, manufacturers can consider this recommendation for the coming season for the first time," explain the RKI experts. However, an influenza vaccine is not as effective as other vaccines even if it is in good agreement with the circulating viruses. Nevertheless, around one in two vaccinated people over the age of 60 could be spared infection. Due to the frequency of illnesses, thousands of infections and deaths could be prevented, the RKI scientists and physicians summarize.

Quadruple vaccine is now taken over by the health insurance companies

Following the recommendations of STIKO, the vaccination guidelines have now been revised. The quadruple vaccine, which was taken over in the last season only by certain private insurance companies or had to be covered by additional payments, will be taken over for the upcoming flu season 2018/2019 as a standard vaccination by the statutory health insurance. (Vb)