Flu shot
and Martina Feichter, medical editor and biologistRicarda Schwarz studied medicine in Würzburg, where she also completed her doctorate. After a wide range of tasks in practical medical training (PJ) in Flensburg, Hamburg and New Zealand, she is now working in neuroradiology and radiology at the Tübingen University Hospital.
More about the expertsMartina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.
The flu vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself from the flu (influenza). It is recommended for people who are at high risk of catching the flu. The flu vaccination is carried out every autumn. Most people take it well. Read everything you need to know about the flu vaccination here.
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. J10J11
Influenza vaccination: general
The flu vaccination protects against infection with certain flu viruses that circulate in the population during the winter months. It stimulates the immune system to produce specific antibodies against the pathogen. If the vaccinated person later comes into contact with "real" flu viruses, he is prepared for it and can usually ward off an illness.
After the vaccine is injected, it takes the body ten to 14 days to develop full immune protection. Therefore the flu vaccination should be carried out well in advance of the start of the "flu season". In Germany this usually begins after the turn of the year. It is best to get a flu vaccination as early as October or November. But the flu vaccination can also be useful at the beginning of or during a flu epidemic. Because it is never possible to predict exactly how long the flu season will last.
If you want to do sport in the days after the flu vaccination, you can do so as long as it is only about moderate physical exertion. However, extreme sporting activity can impair the formation of antibodies and should therefore be avoided.
Too few people are vaccinated
The flu vaccination is particularly advisable for certain groups of people, for example the elderly, the chronically ill and medical staff. In all of these target groups, however, the vaccination rate against influenza is too low.
For example, in the 2016/17 season in Germany only just under 35 percent of people aged 60 and over had the flu vaccination. The aim is to achieve a vaccination quota of 75 percent among older people in the European Union. The aim is to reduce the number of serious illnesses and deaths from flu, which occur more frequently in this age group.
Influenza shot: the vaccine
Seasonal flu is currently attributable to two subtypes of influenza A viruses - namely A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) viruses - and two groups of influenza B viruses. There are different variants of these four groups of pathogens around the world, because flu viruses can change very quickly. Which virus variants are responsible for most illnesses in a flu season therefore varies.
That is why a new flu vaccine is developed every year. It contains parts of those virus variants that are expected to mainly circulate in the population in the coming season. Medical laboratories around the world are constantly investigating which flu virus variants are currently in circulation. The World Health Organization (WHO) collects this data and then determines how the next flu vaccine must be composed in order to be prepared for the coming flu season.
Types of flu vaccine
A so-called dead vaccine is usually used for the influenza vaccination. It consists of inactivated viruses or virus components. Most of them are vaccines that contain four virus variants - those that are expected to spearhead the coming flu epidemic. These are known as quadrivalent vaccines. They have been recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) since 2018, instead of the trivalent flu vaccines that were previously widespread and are still available today (vaccines with only three virus variants).
In addition to the "normal" flu vaccine for older people, one is also made available that is equipped with potentiometers (adjuvants). In this age group, the immune system usually no longer produces as many antibodies against the flu virus as desired in response to the flu vaccination. The potent (adjuvanted) flu vaccine is intended to stimulate this limited antibody production.
Children and adolescents between the ages of two and 17 can be given a live quadrivalent vaccine against influenza instead of a trivalent or quadrivalent dead vaccine. It contains viruses that are still alive but weakened. In contrast to the dead flu vaccines, it is not administered as a syringe, but as a nasal spray.
Influenza vaccination: who should be vaccinated?
Some people are particularly at risk of catching the flu or are at increased risk of developing the disease more seriously. The flu vaccination makes sense for them. Specifically, these are:
- People over 60 years
- Residents and employees of old people's or nursing homes
- Pregnant women (see below)
- People with an underlying disease such as asthma, COPD, cardiovascular diseases, liver or kidney diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (e.g. with HIV / AIDS)
- People with increased occupational risk (e.g. medical staff)
- People who live with people at risk (such as immunocompromised people) or look after them, e.g. relatives, caregivers
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends these groups of people to be vaccinated against influenza every year.
Influenza vaccination: when should I not be vaccinated?
If someone has a febrile illness (38.5 degrees Celsius or more), the flu vaccination is not recommended. But it should be made up for as soon as possible. Experts recommend the same for a more severe acute infection.
If you are known to have a severe allergy to chicken protein or another component of the flu vaccine, you should discuss with your doctor whether the flu vaccination still makes sense for you (under medical supervision).
Children and adolescents with certain underlying diseases (immune deficiency, severe asthma) must not be immunized against the flu with the live vaccine. A dead vaccine should be used instead if a flu shot is advisable. The same applies to children and adolescents who are treated with salicylates (such as acetylsalicylic acid = ASA). These active ingredients are used against pain, fever and inflammation.
Influenza vaccination: pregnancy and breastfeeding
The STIKO recommends the flu vaccination for all pregnant women. The immune system is weakened during pregnancy. Influenza viruses (and other pathogens) can enter the body more easily and cause a more severe infection. If a pregnant woman is vaccinated, the antibodies can also pass through the placenta to the child. In this case, the newborn is protected against the flu for a few months after birth.
The flu vaccination with dead viruses or virus components (dead vaccine) is possible at any time during pregnancy. The vaccination is usually only recommended from the second trimester of pregnancy (2nd trimester). Pregnant women with an underlying disease (such as diabetes or kidney disease) should be vaccinated from the 1st trimester.
The flu vaccination (dead vaccination) can also be given during breastfeeding.
Flu despite vaccination
The flu vaccination can prevent flu in many cases - but not always: Like all vaccinations, the influenza vaccination does not offer 100% protection against infection. If the flu vaccine administered fits very well with the flu virus types actually circulating, it shows a protective effect of up to 80 percent in young adults. In the case of seniors with their age-related weaker immune systems, the flu vaccination is often a little less reliable.
But the composition of the flu vaccine is not optimal every year: sometimes, contrary to all forecasts, other flu virus variants are predominant than expected during the flu season. The current flu vaccine may not be so well adapted to these types of pathogens, which can further reduce its effectiveness.
But not only the generally limited effectiveness of the flu vaccination and a "wrong" vaccine composition can be the reason if someone gets the flu despite being vaccinated: An illness is also possible if the infection occurred shortly before the vaccination - even before the person concerned Symptoms developed and the infection became apparent. Even if infected ten to 14 days after the flu vaccination, you can get sick. The body then did not have enough time to produce sufficient antibodies.
In spite of everything, the benefit of the flu vaccination is undisputed: With its help - even in view of the current moderate vaccination rate - an estimated 400,000 flu infections can be prevented in Germany in people over 60 years of age. And if the flu happens despite being vaccinated, it is usually milder (i.e. with fewer complications) than in unvaccinated people.
Influenza vaccination: side effects
The flu vaccination is usually well tolerated. With the inactivated vaccine that is injected, local reactions sometimes occur temporarily at the injection site (such as slight pain, swelling, reddening). They signal the body's natural response to contact with the vaccine.
The live vaccine, which is given as a nasal spray, can temporarily cause a blocked or runny nose.
Both dead and live flu vaccines occasionally cause general symptoms similar to those of a cold. These include fever, shivering or sweating, tiredness, headache, pain in the limbs or muscles. These symptoms usually disappear after a day or two.
The flu vaccination rarely causes serious side effects such as allergic reactions of the skin or bronchi or inflammation of the smallest blood vessels.
Influenza vaccination: cost
The statutory health insurances cover the costs for all insured persons for the flu vaccination. Similar regulations for the assumption of costs for the flu vaccination also apply to people with private health insurance.
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