Germany has imported because of the vaccine shortage, several Thousand doses of flu vaccines from the EU countries. Nevertheless, there are some bottlenecks in the supply. Alone after Berlin had 3000 doses ordered, said a spokeswoman for the state office for health and social Affairs. The Saarland received, according to the country pharmacy of the chamber, “very small amounts” of vaccines from Poland and France, however, none was more available.
Pharmacies in Schleswig-Holstein had vaccines “in the four-digit range” from abroad, mostly from great Britain, relative, said the managing Director of state pharmaceutical Association, Frank Jaschkowski. “Thus, a smaller supply could be closed gaps.” According to estimates, a few Thousand could of Schleswig-Holstein can not be vaccinated against influenza because the vaccine lacked.
In other länder such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony there are according to the authorities, no major problems with the vaccines. Nevertheless, the inventories are not sufficient to compensate for wide bottlenecks.
Shortages in spite of increased production
For this season Paul was released-Ehrlich-Institute, 15.7 million doses, around one Million more than in the previous season had been used. Nevertheless, it already came in the fall of bottlenecks. The Federal Ministry of health allowed the vaccines, therefore, in November the Import of flu.
In the last season, the flu raged particularly fiercely. Experts believe that this year that is why more and more people against the infection, vaccinated. In addition, only a four-fold vaccine is to be used, the he came as effective as one with three components, as in years past.
People with a particular risk should still be vaccinated – if the area is still vaccine available, said the spokeswoman for the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Susanne Glasmacher. It is up to two weeks takes but until a Vaccination was developed. The flu season usually begins in December or January. So far, the RKI noted, but no increased Infection.
Who should be vaccinated?
- Doctors recommend vaccination especially people for whom a flu infection can be particularly dangerous. These include:
- People aged 60 and over,
- Pregnant women from the second Trimester (the Baby is protected in the first months of life),
- the chronically Ill,
- medical staff and care workers because of their increased risk of infection and the greater the risk of the pathogen to the patient to pass on
- Residents of nursing homes.
The last wave of Influenza was considered the RKI already as the strongest in years. Probably more than 20,000 people, mainly elderly died in Germany.
Experts criticize for some time that the Benefits of vaccination will often be underestimated. According to a survey, only 40 percent of the people, which is the recommended a vaccination could actually immunize.
Many underestimate influenza and be confused with a flu-like infection. The symptoms of the flu are much stronger. Even in uncomplicated cases of Influenza lasts for five to seven days. In the worst case, life-threatening complications can occur such as lung or heart muscle inflammation. Children as well as elderly and immunocompromised people are at risk.
Even if the vaccine does not protect 100% against infection, it is considered as the best remedy against the flu. About half a Million flu diseases in Germany per year, estimates the Robert Koch Institute.