Flu wave looming: vaccination rates alarmingly low for people over 60!

Flu wave looming: vaccination rates alarmingly low for people over 60!

Autumn means wrapping up warm, but at the same time the flu season is just around the corner. This year could be particularly difficult, as Bremen epidemiologist Hajo Zeeb expects a higher number of influenza infections than corona infections. A look at the current situation shows that the flu vaccination is currently particularly recommended for older people, according to reports buten and within. However, the forecasts for the development of the flu wave are still unclear and depend heavily on the weather conditions and the vaccination rate.

The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) emphasizes that the following groups of people in particular should be vaccinated: everyone aged 60 and over, people with previous illnesses such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, nursing staff and pregnant women from the second trimester onwards. Healthy people do not necessarily have to be vaccinated. Nevertheless, vaccination plays an important role: the development of serious illnesses and complications is generally much more likely in older people.

Current vaccination numbers and trends

As the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) recently discovered, the number of vaccinations nationwide has plummeted following the corona pandemic. What's particularly alarming is that only 38% of people over 60 get vaccinated against the flu, according to tagesschau.de. This vaccination rate is the lowest we have seen since the flu season before the pandemic, which could be due in no small part to a certain level of vaccination fatigue. The EU target of 75% vaccination rate seems a long way off.

A regional look at willingness to vaccinate shows both differences and bright spots: In Saxony-Anhalt, where the vaccination rate is around 52%, people are more inclined to get vaccinated. In contrast, Baden-Württemberg topped the negative list with around 24%. Another sticking point is that some pharmacies have been offering flu vaccinations since 2022, but only around 10% of them actually offer this service, with correspondingly modest numbers.

The health consequences and containment strategies

Influenza is a common infectious disease that typically causes non-moderate to severe consequences in healthy adults. However, the risk of serious complications is higher among older people. Statistics show that in countries such as Denmark and Ireland the vaccination rate among those over 65 is much better; in Germany it was around 40% in the 2022/2023 flu season - a decrease compared to the previous season, where it was 44%. This raises the question of how we can stimulate the decline in willingness to vaccinate and better protect older people.

The WHO recommends that an annual flu vaccination can reduce the risk of infection. In this context, measures such as wearing masks in confined spaces should also be considered to minimize the risk of infection. So if you haven't been vaccinated yet, you should see a doctor or pharmacy as soon as possible! Winter is just around the corner and time is running out so that the vaccinations can take effect on time.

Given the current trends and the importance of vaccination, it is to be hoped that the population will wake up and the vaccination rate will increase significantly. Because one thing is clear: health should now come first!