Flu wave in the Rottweil district: vaccination now more important than ever!

Flu wave in the Rottweil district: vaccination now more important than ever!

The flu is hitting with full force! Influenza cases are constantly increasing in the Rottweil district, and the AOK warns: Only a few people are vaccinated! High fever, chills and shortness of breath - influenza is no joke and attacks the body's defenses. Last year, around 900 AOK insured people had to be treated for influenza. The alarming figures show an increase of 35 percent per year between 2019 and 2023. The jump from 2021 to 2022 was particularly dramatic!

The vaccination rate, on the other hand, is a sad low point: During the corona pandemic, 15 percent of insured people were vaccinated in 2020, but last year the number fell to just 10 percent - the lowest value in a decade! The AOK makes it clear that older people and chronically ill people in particular urgently need a vaccination. “Infectious diseases such as the flu can have dangerous consequences,” warns Dr. Sabine Hawighorst-Knapstein from AOK Baden-Württemberg. Pneumonia, heart attacks and even strokes are just some of the possible complications.

Vaccination essential for risk groups

The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends the flu vaccination especially for pregnant women, as they have a higher risk of severe cases. The vaccines are well tolerated, with minimal side effects such as redness or mild cold symptoms. “The flu vaccination should be refreshed every year because the viruses are constantly changing,” explains Dr. Hawighorst-Knapstein.

To prevent flu infection, the AOK recommends washing your hands thoroughly and regularly ventilating closed rooms. “Coughing and sneezing should always be done into the crook of your arm,” says the doctor. Drinking water, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet are also crucial to strengthening the body's defenses. Winter is just around the corner - protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu!