Influenza: Why vaccinating is important now

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Even if the first ones fall ill - the flu wave is not yet rolling. However, now is the right time to vaccinate - because the pathogens will now spread increasingly.

But vaccination fatigue is great in Germany when it comes to the flu. Even people who are particularly at risk, for whom an infection can be threatening, cannot be vaccinated. This includes people over 60 who, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), are only 50 percent vaccinated. In younger people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, immune deficiencies or heart diseases, the gap in the vaccination gap is even greater: only one in four is vaccinated against virus attacks. The percentage of pregnant women vaccinated is not yet available. In a US study it was only 15 percent, although they are much more likely to have more severe courses.

There are many reasons for not being vaccinated against the flu. Older people in particular fear that they will catch the flu themselves through the flu vaccination - which is not medically possible. The vaccination usually contains only parts of the pathogen with certain surface proteins.

Underestimated danger

In addition, one in five underestimates the danger that flu can pose. Infection can even be fatal. In the 2012/2013 flu season alone, for example, more than 20,000 people in Germany died of flu. These included a disproportionately large number of small children and elderly people.

Even if it doesn't come to the worst, the flu is more than just an annoying infection like a runny nose or cough. During the severe flu epidemic last winter, an estimated 31,000 more people had to go to hospital, 3.7 million infected people were so sick that they needed bed rest and care.

Suspicion of the vaccine

Another reason for the serious vaccine picking: one in five distrusts the flu vaccination.People are afraid of serious side effects, which experts say are very rare or they do not believe it will work. A flu vaccination even protects to a certain extent if the World Health Organization (WHO) makes mistakes with the recommended composition for the annual vaccine - as happened, for example, in last year's flu season.

Scientists are still speculating about the reasons. One possibility would be that the immune system is generally boosted by the vaccination. Or the viral proteins contained in the vaccine match those of other related viruses to such an extent that they are recognized as hostile by the immune system.

What does the prick cost?

People who are recommended a flu vaccination by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) will in any case receive it free of charge. This includes risk groups such as the elderly, residents, the chronically ill and pregnant women, but also people who are more likely to get infected due to their job or who could endanger many others themselves.

However, the STIKO does not generally advise people who are not expected to have a severe course of the disease, not to have a vaccination. Anyone who wants to be vaccinated should discuss this with their doctor. The costs are between 30 and 35 euros, but are covered by most health insurance companies. (cf)

Sources:

www.rki.de, Accessed October 23, 2015

Birte Bödeker et al: Why are older adults and individuals with underlying chronic diseases in Germany not vaccinated against flu? A population-based study, BMC Public Health 2015, 15: 618 doi: 10.1186 / s12889

Andrea Tricco et al .: Comparing influenza vaccine efficacy against mismatched and matched strains: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMC Medicine 2013, 11: 153 doi: 10.1186 / 1741-7015-11-153

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