Flu wave rolls on: Why now the vaccination protection for children counts!

Flu wave rolls on: Why now the vaccination protection for children counts!

Vorarlberg, Österreich - An alarming increase in influenza cases in Austria ensures concern. As the pediatrician and vaccination officer Daniela Jonas reported in an interview with ORF Vorarlberg, many young patients are currently suffering from the symptoms of "real flu". In play and kindergarten groups as well as in elementary schools, up to 50 percent of children are out due to high fever, head, abdominal and body aches as well as loss of appetite. Jonas emphasizes that early vaccinations could prevent these symptoms, but the vaccination numbers in Vorarlberg are worryingly low, which further favors the spread of the disease.

flu wave mainly meets children

The current flu wave endangers children in school age and young adults. A report by the Robert Koch Institute has been showing a rapid increase in infection since the beginning of the year, which has re-sparked a discussion about the flu shot for children. The professional association of pediatricians (BVKJ) supports a vaccination recommendation for all children. However, this requirement is rejected by the constant vaccination commission (STIKO), which recommends vaccination only for children with risk factors. BVKJ President Michael Hubmann expressed that healthy children are often virus transmitters and that a wide vaccination could contribute decisively to contain, as the experts report.

The importance of vaccination

The experts expect a significant wave of illness, especially after the severe influenza in the Australian winter, which recorded numerous infections among small children. These factors, along with the consequences of Corona Lockdowns, could lead to a catch-up increase in infection cases, since children were faced with less pathogens. Experts argue that a general vaccination recommendation could also be necessary from a social aspects in order to minimize the stress of the health system. It is worth following the channels through which small viruses can beat large waves - in the end, children have proven to be important carriers, which also makes immunization so important for them.