Flu vaccination in winter 2023
The 7 most important questions and answers about the flu vaccination
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Just in time for the cold season, the first flu waves start again. You can find out who should get vaccinated now and what else there is to know here.
Winter time is the time for colds: Even if it sometimes seems as if the coronavirus has driven away all other classic infectious diseases, it is also the first this year Flu epidemic on the rise again. But Who should get vaccinated – and does it actually do any good?
Flu vaccination: What you should know now
Are you unsure whether the flu vaccination is right for you? No worries – we clarify the seven most important questions and answers!
1. Who should get vaccinated?
The “Robert Koch Institute” (RKI) updated the vaccination recommendations for influenza, i.e. the real flu, last September. The flu vaccination is recommended for the following people:
- People over 60 years old.
- Pregnant women from the 2nd trimester, in the first trimester if there is a health risk. It’s best to talk to your doctor about this.
- People with an immune deficiency.
- People with an existing underlying disease such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases or neurological diseases.
- Residents in retirement or nursing homes as well as their visitors.
- Staff in nursing facilities, medical services or similar.
- People in facilities with increased public traffic.
2. When is the best time to get a flu shot?
According to the RKI, the number of cases of flu waves has increased significantly in recent years from around the end of September. Since it takes approximately ten to 14 days for the protection to fully build up The best time for vaccination is around October to mid-December.
Conversely, this does not mean that the flu vaccination is no longer worthwhile if it is carried out before or after this point in time. After all, it is entirely possible that the flu wave will start earlier or takes longer than usual. The RKI writes: “In the 2022/2023 season, for example, there was a second flu wave in March due to a different virus variant.”
3. Can I get vaccinated even if I have a cold?
In the best case scenario, you will of course be completely healthy if you get vaccinated. However, a normal cold with a maximum slightly elevated temperature (less than 38.5 degrees) is usually not an obstacle. Small exception: Are you taking painkillers such as paracetamol, this could reduce the immune system’s response to the vaccination, making it less successful. In this case, talk to your doctor briefly in advance about whether the vaccination makes sense.
One thing is different Illness with fever from 38.5 degrees – in this case, the vaccination should only take place when you are healthy again.
4. Can I get the flu despite being vaccinated?
Unfortunately, vaccination does not offer 100% protection against disease. There are various reasons for this: On the one hand, you can still get sick if the vaccination took place during the so-called incubation period, you were already infected at the time of vaccination. On the other hand, as already described, it takes up to 14 days before vaccination protection is fully developed. You can still become infected during this period.
Incidentally, the flu vaccination does not protect against infection with the common cold. However, it is not that easy to identify what type of infection is present. You can find out whether you have the flu or a cold here.
5. What side effects should I expect from the vaccination?
According to the RKI, this can happen in some cases depending on the vaccine used Short-term symptoms of illness, such as a cold, may occur. The following complaints occur most frequently:
Usually These symptoms disappear within one to two days after vaccination again on its own.
6. Can I get vaccinated against corona and flu at the same time?
According to the RKI, simultaneous vaccination against corona and flu is possible: “According to the STIKO recommendation, a vaccination interval of 14 days no longer needs to be maintained between Covid-19 vaccinations and the administration of other so-called inactivated vaccines.” But the vaccination should take place in different places. The general practitioners’ association would therefore like to see a combination vaccine against corona and flu as soon as possible. The federal chairman of the association, Markus Beier, told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”: “We very much hope that the combination vaccine will be available in the foreseeable future.”
7. Should I have my child vaccinated?
The “Standing Vaccination Commission” (STIKO) recommends this Flu vaccination for all children who are at increased risk of complications from flu. The following previous illnesses are among the risks:
- Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or cystic fibrosis
- Chronic diseases of the heart, liver or kidneys
- Metabolic diseases such as diabetes
- A congenital or acquired immune deficiency
Even if another household member is chronically ill or has a weak immune system, children should be vaccinated.
Depending on their age, both inactivated vaccines and a live vaccine are available for children. The inactivated vaccine can be administered from six months. If the child is older than nine years and has never been vaccinated against the flu, two vaccinations are usually given four weeks apart, depending on the vaccine.
Alternatively, children up to and including 17 years of age can also take part Live vaccine in form of Nasal sprays be administered. This makes sense, for example, if there are blood clotting disorders or the child is afraid of injections. If you have an immune deficiency, severe asthma or are receiving parallel therapy with various painkillers, the live vaccine is not an option.
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