KBV calls for flu vaccinations

25.09.2023 15:42

The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) calls for flu vaccinations. Older, chronically ill and immunocompromised people in particular should get vaccinated. “Vaccination offers the best and easiest protection against seasonal influenza,” said Dr. Stephan Hofmeister, deputy chairman of the board of KBV.

Even after the end of the corona pandemic, vaccination will remain important, said Hofmeister, and there is no time for vaccination fatigue. Colleagues in the practices are also called upon to specifically ask their patients about the flu vaccination.

“The flu vaccination is particularly important with regard to Covid-19, because the groups that have a higher risk of a severe course are very similar for influenza and Covid-19,” added board member Dr. Sibylle Steiner. If vaccinations against flu and Covid-19 were both indicated, both vaccines could be administered on the same vaccination date, according to the recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO).

The influenza risk groups include people over 60 years of age, those with an underlying illness, people with severe underlying neurological diseases or a weakened immune system, pregnant women and residents of retirement and nursing homes. In addition, those who have a lot of contact with other people at work and can therefore become infected more quickly should also get vaccinated.

The STIKO recommends a high-dose vaccine for people over 60 that contains four times the amount of antigen compared to conventional influenza vaccines. This is said to result in an improved immune response.

This year, the KBV is once again providing residents with information materials such as a practice poster, an information card and a video with which practices can point out the vaccination. They are standing on the KBV topic page on flu vaccination available free of charge.