Geriatricians and lung experts urgently advise the elderly and the sick to protect themselves against the flu
Geriatric and pulmonary medicine specialists have urgently called for flu vaccinations over the age of 60 and patients at risk. The vaccination not only protects against acute flu, but can also significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and reduce overall mortality by 40 percent, the German Society for Geriatrics (DGG) and the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) explained on Thursday in Munich.
Before the corona pandemic, the annual flu epidemic usually started in January and lasted three to four months. Because of the mask requirement and the contact restrictions, there was practically no flu epidemic for two years.
“As a result, people had no contact with influenza viruses for a long time, there is no longer herd immunity,” explained DGP board member Hortense Slevogt. “The spread this year is earlier, faster and more violent than in previous years.”
All people over 60 should therefore get vaccinated as soon as possible. This age group accounted for 90 percent of flu -related deaths.
In the case of an influenza infection, pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria can also develop in the course of the disease , which leads to particularly severe courses.
In the first month after an influenza infection, unvaccinated people are also more likely to have heart attacks or strokes. Parkinson’s disease can occur as a late consequence after more than ten years.
