Flu and Covid vaccination recommended for at-risk groups
In view of rising infection rates, doctors' representatives are appealing to at-risk groups to get vaccinated against Covid-19. "We have a very low demand for vaccinations," Andreas Gassen, Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, told Welt am Sonntag.
Many people are understandably tired of vaccinations due to the enormous public pressure for corona vaccinations, Gassen told the newspaper "Wams" and the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" ("NOZ"). However, this could be problematic for at-risk groups. They should follow the vaccination recommendation to protect themselves - including against influenza. The vaccinations could also be combined: "Left arm flu, right arm corona", Gassen told the newspapers.
"It is always important to emphasize: Corona can still be a serious illness for particularly vulnerable groups without appropriate vaccination protection," warned Markus Beier, Chairman of the German Association of General Practitioners, in the "Wams". The same applies to the flu. "In a particularly severe flu season, tens of thousands of people are known to die from this disease." The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends that people aged 60 and over, as well as those with underlying conditions, get a flu vaccination - every year from October to mid-December.
According to the Stiko, adults under the age of 60 generally have basic immunity against Covid-19 after two vaccinations and one illness or after three vaccinations. For people aged 60 and over or those at risk of a severe case of Covid-19, the Stiko recommends further booster vaccinations twelve months after the last vaccination or illness - preferably in the fall. No Covid-19 vaccinations are currently necessary for healthy children and adolescents.
It would be helpful if the coronavirus vaccine were "finally" available in single doses and not still in six-packs, Gassen told the NOZ newspaper. "Because the practices then have to call six vaccinees together to avoid having to throw away any doses."
- Despite the fatigue towards vaccinations due to the coronavirus pandemic, it's crucial for at-risk groups to get vaccinated against not only Covid-19 but also diseases like flu to ensure their health.
- The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) advises people aged 60 and above, as well as those with underlying conditions, to get an annual flu vaccination to protect against severe flu diseases, similar to the importance of Covid-19 vaccinations for high-risk groups.
- As the corona vaccine is still available in multi-dose vials, Andréas Gassen, Chairman of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, suggests combining vaccinations (like having the flu vaccine in the left arm and the corona vaccine in the right) to avoid vaccine wastage.
Source: www.dpa.com
