The demand for flu vaccinations among at-risk groups in Germany remains low, which could lead to an overload of the healthcare system in combination with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite an increase in trust in vaccinations in recent years, almost half of the adults surveyed by the Federal Association of German Pharmacists (ABDA) who belong to at-risk groups do not plan to receive a flu shot. The ABDA recommends flu vaccinations, especially for those with chronic illnesses, medical staff, people over 60 years old, and those who come into contact with many people in their profession. The German Pharmacists’ Association Chairman, Fritz Becker, assures that the vaccine is safe and well-tolerated. The German Medical Association also recommends flu vaccinations for at-risk groups, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported that 25,000 people in Germany died from influenza during the 2017/18 flu season. However, only 35% of people over 60 years old received a flu shot during the 2018/19 season, according to data from the Permanent Vaccination Commission (STIKO) of the RKI. Similarly, only 19% of people with multiple sclerosis and 44% of people with chronic kidney disease received flu vaccinations during the 2017 season. The STIKO estimates that the vaccination rate for people with chronic illnesses ranges from 20% to 50%. This year, 26 million flu vaccinations are available, significantly more than in previous years. To increase the vaccination rate, specially trained pharmacies are now allowed to administer flu shots independently during the 2020/2021 flu season. However, it is uncertain whether there will be a significant flu outbreak this year due to COVID-19 protective measures.
Experts continue to recommend that all at-risk individuals receive a flu vaccination. A strong flu season, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, could lead to an overload of the healthcare system. Therefore, it is crucial to increase the vaccination rate among at-risk groups to prevent such a scenario.
