Schleswig-Holstein: Flu season starts! Experts recommend vaccination!

Schleswig-Holstein: Flu season starts! Experts recommend vaccination!

The flu season has begun and experts are urgently warning of serious illnesses. The first sick people have already been reported and the numbers from last season are still before our eyes. In Schleswig-Holstein, over 11,300 people were infected with the virus in 2024/25, more than twice as many as in the previous year. So it's high time to think about personal vaccination protection, because early vaccination can not only reduce the risk of illness, but also protect others.

What is particularly alarming is that the vaccination rate among AOK insured people in Germany was only 13.2%. This is a worrying value because the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends flu vaccination for various risk groups. In addition to people over 60, this includes pregnant women, newborns aged six months or older with health risks, people with chronic illnesses and everyone who has close contact with people at risk. Medical staff and residents of nursing homes should also be vaccinated. Older people in particular are at increased risk of severe disease and complications, such as bacterial pneumonia, which often follows the flu.

Flu and its characteristics

The symptoms of flu usually appear suddenly: fever, muscle aches and headaches as well as a persistent cough make being together a challenge. The illness typically lasts a week, but can last for a longer period of time. This makes it even more important to take preventative measures.

The Minister of Health is currently promoting a higher vaccination rate in order to help those who have not been vaccinated and to relieve the burden on the health system. Vaccination is particularly important at this time, when flu viruses are known to be on the move from October to May. It's also worth noting that the flu shot and the Covid-19 shot can easily be given back-to-back, providing a convenient way for many of us to fully protect ourselves.

Vaccination campaign in Schleswig-Holstein

Today is a special day because the “Long Night of Vaccination” is taking place in Schleswig-Holstein. Numerous pharmacies and doctor's practices are opening their doors to get as many people as possible to get vaccinated. The aim of this campaign is to motivate citizens to take the one step to protect their own health and the health of the community. Experience shows that the infection rate is highest between January and March, so early vaccination makes all the more sense.

A comparison with other countries shows that Germany does not perform particularly well in comparison. In the 2022/2023 flu season, only 40% of the population aged 60 and over were vaccinated. For comparison: in Denmark this proportion was 78%, in Ireland it was 76% and in Portugal it was 72%. There is still a lot of room for improvement in this country to increase the vaccination rate. According to figures from Destatis and other statistics, it is urgent that we all do our part to prevent the spread of the flu.

It remains to be hoped that the vaccination campaign will reach and motivate many people today. After all, a flu vaccination is a simple but effective way to protect yourself and those around you and thus ensure the best possible health together.