flu shot

Influenza vaccination: General

The flu shot protects against infection with certain flu viruses. The best vaccination should be from October to November, ie before the “flu season”. After injecting the vaccine, the body needs a little time to build up sufficient immune protection. In Germany, the flu epidemic usually starts in January and ends in March. Even shortly before a flu vaccination can be useful because it can weaken the course of the disease. It protects people from the disease for six to twelve months.

Dead or live viruses in the vaccine

The vaccine of the influenza vaccine consists mostly of dead virus components of various virus subtypes. However, children are more likely to be given a vaccine containing live attenuated virus because vaccine protection is much stronger. However, it is possible that the attenuated virus will be transmitted to immunocompromised people in the first two weeks after vaccination. Therefore, after a flu vaccination with live viruses, children should first of all avoid having any contact with immunocompromised persons.

The live vaccine is suitable for children between the ages of two and six. Children and adolescents from the age of seven are either vaccinated with a vaccine containing dead or live virus. For adults, the vaccine is provided with dead viral components.

Too few people can be vaccinated

According to the Robert Koch Institute, only about a quarter of Germans are vaccinated against influenza. For older people, it is 50 percent. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) is targeting a 75 percent enrollment rate in the elderly to curb the mortality rate.

Influenza vaccine: vaccine

Every year, a new vaccine for the flu vaccine is being developed. It contains parts of viruses that are currently responsible for most influenza infections. Since the flu viruses can change very quickly, the vaccine is also different every year. The exact composition is determined by the WHO.

Until the winter of 2012/2013, only a flu vaccine was available that protected against two types of influenza A virus and one influenza B virus. Since 2013/2014 there are vaccines that protect against further variants of the influenza B virus.

Influenza vaccine: effectiveness

The virus components contained in the flu vaccine stimulate the immune system to form antibodies. The antibodies should sit on the surface of the virus and make it harmless. An influenza vaccine for adults usually contains no complete viruses, but only the surface proteins against which antibodies are to be formed. If the body is subsequently infected with a “real” flu virus, it recognizes its surface faster, or has already formed antibodies that render the virus harmless.

However, the flu shot can not always prevent the disease. On the one hand, this happens because the surface proteins of influenza viruses change very quickly. On the other hand, it takes at least ten to fourteen days for the body to build up adequate vaccine protection. If a person becomes infected shortly before vaccination or the first two weeks thereafter, it can still lead to the disease. However, it is often much milder than in non-vaccinated people.

Influenza vaccination: yes or no?

Some people are particularly at risk of getting the flu, or they have an increased risk that the disease will be severe. Then a flu vaccine makes sense. The WHO recommends an annual flu shot for certain groups of people. These include:

• People over 60 years old
• Residents of retirement or nursing homes
• pregnant woman
• People with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, rheumatism
• People with a tumor disease
• medical staff
• People with AIDS
• People who have contact with poultry or wild birds

An influenza vaccine should not be given if those affected have other infections or fever. If allergic to egg white or other components of the vaccine, a special flu vaccine may be given.

Influenza vaccination: pregnancy and lactation

Women who are pregnant during the flu season benefit from a flu shot. In pregnancy, the immune system is weakened. Therefore, the flu viruses can more easily enter the body and trigger a more severe infection. If a pregnant woman is vaccinated, the antibodies can pass through the placenta to the child. The newborn will have flu protection for several months after giving birth.

The influenza vaccination with dead viral components is harmless at any time of pregnancy. The vaccine is recommended only from the second trimester of pregnancy. Even during lactation can be vaccinated without hesitation.

Influenza vaccination in children

In most cases, children only need to be vaccinated if they have weakness in the immune system or a chronic illness. You will then receive a vaccine with dead virus components. Otherwise, healthy children between the ages of 2 and 6 will usually receive a live vaccine as it will lead to greater immunity. The vaccine can be administered as a nasal spray.

Influenza vaccination: side effects

The flu shot is usually well tolerated. Very rarely, side effects occur. The skin around the injection site may be slightly painful, reddened or swollen. In children who have received a nasal spray vaccination, sometimes a blocked or runny nose occurs. In addition, the following symptoms may occur:

• slight fever and shivering
• sweat
• fatigue
• Headache, muscle or limb pain
• Sore throat

The complaints usually resolve within one to two days.

The side effects may be more severe if, for example, there is an allergy to chicken protein. Marked skin reactions such as redness and itching, as well as shortness of breath and circulatory problems are sometimes the result. Even people with chronic diseases develop some severe side effects.

Influenza vaccine: Sport only after a few days

Since the immune system has to do more work after a vaccine like an infection, there should be no exercise in the first three days after vaccination. If you look after the body flu shot spares, he can concentrate on building up antibodies.