Flu protection launched: How to protect yourself and your family!

Flu protection launched: How to protect yourself and your family!

The cold season has arrived again and with it the flu season. As the MZ reported that the first doctor's practices in Burgenland County have already started giving flu vaccinations. Other practices plan to follow suit in October. The new flu vaccine for the 2025/26 season has arrived at the Doceins Medical Care Center in Zeitz and it is already possible to get vaccinated there. An appointment is required for vaccinations at the Doceins Center.

The vaccinations are currently primarily offered to existing patients, although exceptions are possible. Dr. Jörg Böhme, chairman of the Saxony-Anhalt Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, emphasizes that the annual flu vaccination is important for all age groups. This is not without reason, as the flu can cause severe symptoms and, in extreme cases, even be fatal.

Who should get vaccinated?

Vaccination against the flu is particularly recommended for people aged 60 and over, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses. People who work in high-traffic facilities should also consider getting vaccinated. In the last flu season, 1,440 confirmed flu cases were registered in the Burgenland district - around 500 more than the previous year with two deaths related to influenza. Adults aged 36 to 59 and children between 0 and 7 were particularly affected.

Two confirmed influenza infections have currently been reported in the district. In this context, the recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) referred to, which recommends specific vaccines for the 2025/2026 season. The focus here is particularly on the high-dose vaccine and the MF-59 adjuvanted influenza vaccine for people aged 60 and over. These vaccines show significantly better effectiveness than the standard variants for this age group.

Differentiate the real flu from a cold

It is important to distinguish between the real flu and a cold. The latter, which is often colloquially referred to simply as “the flu”, is caused by numerous pathogens such as rhinoviruses and seasonal coronaviruses, while the real flu is caused by influenza viruses. Typical symptoms of the flu include a sudden onset of illness, high fever and severe fatigue, while colds usually have milder symptoms such as a sore throat and runny nose.

For people at high risk, especially older people and pregnant women, laboratory diagnoses for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are recommended for acute respiratory symptoms. Especially with regard to the upcoming flu season, the timing of vaccination is crucial in order to build up optimal protection in a timely manner. Loud Infection Protection.de Adults should ideally get vaccinated in the fall - of course, the flu vaccination can also be combined with COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, but not on the same arm.

In summary, it is essential for everyone, especially vulnerable groups, to take responsibility for their own health and get vaccinated in a timely manner. This way you can go through the cold season feeling stronger and hopefully be spared from serious illnesses.