High, sudden fever. Cough that really hurts the lungs. Arms and legs that feel as heavy as lead: The flu is more than just a harmless cold.
It is true that for some of those infected it is mild, sometimes even without symptoms. But especially those who have previous illnesses must expect that they will flu really caught.
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In the worst case, there is a risk of life-threatening complications. “Respiratory viruses, including flu viruses, open the door to bacterial infections,” says Burkhard Lawrenz. He is spokesman for the Prevention Committee of the Professional Association of Pediatricians and Adolescents (BVKJ).
Flu – this is what happens in the body
A flu infection causes damage to the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and lungs. Bacteria, such as pneumococci, then find it easy to penetrate mucous membranes and the bloodstream.
They can therefore cause further infections – for example, severe pneumonia that needs to be treated in hospital.
The good news: This risk can be reduced – with a spade, now in the fall. We clarify the most important questions.
Who should get the flu shot?
The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) of the Robert Koch Institute recommends the annual flu vaccination to these groups of people:
- everyone aged 60 and over. Background: As we get older, the immune system weakens, which increases the risk of serious illnesses. According to the RKI, most deaths from influenza affect this age group.
- Pregnant women from the second trimester onwards. If there is a pre-existing illness, Stiko recommends spacing in the first trimester.
- People with certain previous illnesses. According to Stiko, these include diseases of the heart, liver or kidneys, but also diabetes, immune deficiencies or neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
- everyone who lives in retirement or nursing homes
- everyone who is in close contact with people at risk, for example because they live in the same household with them or look after them. Your vaccination primarily serves to protect people at risk.
- everyone with an “increased occupational risk”, as the RKI calls it. This applies, for example, if you work in the medical field or in a facility with a lot of public traffic.
What if I don’t belong to any of these groups?
Even then there can be good reasons for the spades. The fact that Stiko only recommends the influenza vaccination to certain groups does not mean that it advises against it for everyone else. The RKI writes that itself.
Pediatrician Lawrenz advises viewing vaccination not just as an individual decision, but as a social one. “If many people get vaccinated, then that protects many others.” For example, people with an immune deficiency for whom vaccinations have a poor effect.
Does an influenza vaccination make sense for children?
Yes, is Burkhard Lawrenz’s assessment. Because small children are the age group that most often gets the flu. The pediatrician therefore encourages parents to have their children – even those without previous illnesses – vaccinated against influenza.
“The children infect each other in kindergarten and then carry the viruses into their families, infecting their parents and their chronically ill grandparents,” says the pediatrician. In addition, not every infection is harmless, even in little ones, so a vaccination can ensure milder courses.
What parents should know: “You can only get a flu vaccination from six months of age,” says Lawrenz.
When it comes to the vaccine, there is a special rule for children who are at least two years old but younger than 18. A vaccine that is administered as a nasal spray is also approved for them.
Since the nasal spray is more expensive than the syringe, health insurance companies only cover the costs in individual cases. “For example, if the children have a coagulation disorder and an injection is therefore a risk,” says Lawrenz.
The nasal spray vaccine is also used for children who are very panicked about needles. “However, a three-year-old’s normal fear of needles is not a reason to take the nasal spray.”
When is the best time to get the flu vaccination?
That is hard to say. “The flu wave usually doesn’t start until after Christmas and usually lasts until April,” says Burkhard Lawrenz. “But sometimes it starts earlier.”
The RKI also points out that the duration of flu waves can never be precisely predicted. Therefore the recommendation is: ideally in October at the earliest and mid-December at the latest. It takes around two weeks for the vaccination protection to fully develop.
However, a particularly early vaccination appointment can have disadvantages. “Vaccination protection wears off after five to six months,” says Burkhard Lawrenz. So anyone who gets vaccinated in September will no longer have full protection next spring.
Who can’t get the flu shot?
According to the RKI, the vaccination is considered well tolerated. “Severe allergies to a component of the vaccines are rare,” says Lawrenz. This particularly affects people who have a severe allergy to chicken protein, which may be contained in traces in the vaccine. If the doctor knows about the allergy, he or she can switch to another vaccine.
In one case, the flu vaccination must be postponed: in the case of acute infections with a fever of at least 38.5 degrees. This applies to both children and adults. Anyone who only has a slight runny nose or cough or only feels slightly under the weather can still attend the vaccination appointment.
Where can I get the flu shot?
The spades against the flu are available from the family doctor’s office, but also from the pediatrician or gynecologist, for example.
Since 2022, pharmacies have also been allowed to offer flu vaccinations. The Spades will also be available in many pharmacies next autumn and winter, as the Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA) confirms. On the portal www.mein-apothekenmanager.de You can filter for pharmacies in the area that offer flu vaccinations.
Or you can get the vaccination from the company doctor during your lunch break – provided your employer offers free flu vaccinations to its employees.
Who covers the cost of the flu vaccination?
If you fall under the Stiko vaccination recommendation, the matter is clear: then the statutory health insurance covers the full costs. This is stated in the vaccination guidelines.
In some cases, the health insurance companies also cover the vaccination costs for other groups of people or they contribute a share. If in doubt, ask your own health insurance company.
Good to know: The German Pharmacists Association (DAV) has concluded an agreement with some health insurance companies – including the three health insurance companies with the most insured people: TK, Barmer and DAK-Gesundheit. Anyone who is insured there and at least 18 years old can get vaccinated against influenza free of charge in pharmacies. Even if you don’t fall under the Stiko recommendation.