Significantly more influenza vaccinations in the 2020/21 flu season than in previous years

01.10.2021 17:08

In the 2021/22 flu season that is now beginning, influenza vaccination is once again of particular importance due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Due to measures to protect against the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of influenza infections is increasing. The flu vaccination can be effectively prevented. The influenza vaccination rate was particularly high in the last flu season, which usually lasts from the beginning of October to mid-May. A current evaluation by the Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance (Zi) shows that contracted doctors in Germany administered a total of 14.6 million influenza vaccinations in the past season.

Of these, 9.1 million vaccinations were given to the 60+ age group and 5.5 million doses to the population under 60 years of age. In the 2019/20 flu season there were only 11.3 million vaccinations (7.5 million over 60+ / 3.8 million under 60) and in 2018/19 only 10.8 million (7.3 million over 60+). / 3.5 million under 60).

The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends that all patients with certain chronic underlying diseases as well as all people aged 60 and over, pregnant women and medical staff be vaccinated against influenza annually. This also includes people who are at particular risk of a severe clinical course of COVID-19.

“Doctors nationwide are prepared for higher demand for the upcoming nationwide flu vaccinations. Because of the recent outbreak of colds due to the Corona hygiene measures, fewer people are now immune to flu viruses. It is important that many people for whom vaccination is recommended get vaccinated,” said the Chairman of the Central Institute for Statutory Health Care (Zi), Dr. Dominik von Stillfried. “The statutory medical practices are the central location for vaccinations; Vaccination is primarily a medical task. When it comes to complex questions such as the indication for vaccination, identifying illnesses that may preclude vaccination or assessing vaccination risks, patients can fully rely on the medical expertise of their general practitioners and specialists,” emphasized the Zi CEO .