Vaccination: The active vaccination against influenza contains a tri- or tetravalent dead vaccine (2 A strains plus 1-2 B strains. The vaccination must be repeated annually, as the vaccine is adapted to the recommendations of the WHO in each case, so that the antigen composition corresponds to the current epidemic strains.
The protection rate of vaccination is about 60% in patients < 65 years of age; the protection rate is lower in the elderly. The mortality rate in people > 60 years has been shown to be reduced by vaccination. However, exact figures on this vary widely in the literature. There is also evidence that vaccination reduces cardiovascular mortality (apoplexy, myocardial infarction).
The nasal attenuated vaccine available for children and adolescents from 2 to 18 years of age is not effective against A/H1N1 viruses.
Sufficient protection for the patient is available approximately 14 days after vaccination.
Until now, it was said that the active ingredient of the vaccination only lasts 3-4 months and therefore one should not be vaccinated too early. November was recommended as the optimal time, since typically the peak of the disease falls at about the beginning of February. There are now manufacturers' claims that the vaccine effect is 6 - 12 months.
Indications for vaccination:
- generally all persons > 60 years
- persons with congenital, acquired or drug-induced weakening of the immune system
- Persons with cardiopulmonary diseases
- pregnant women
- Persons with increased exposure
- persons exposed to direct contact with birds and / or wild birds (here there is no protection against avian infection, but against double infection)
- in case of epidemics ALL patients should be vaccinated
Contraindications to vaccination:
- patients who are acutely ill with a febrile infection
- Persons with egg white allergy (in this case a chicken egg white free vaccine is available)
Side effects of vaccination:
Occasionally mild general reactions occur such as.
- pressure pain at the injection site
- Chicken protein allergy (rare)
- Vasculitis (very rare)
- Thrombocytopenia (very rare)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (1:1 million)
- Narcolepsy after vaccination against swine flu (very rare)