Germany immunizes all people over 60 years of age against influenza with vaccines of increased immunogenicity.
Germany updated my recommendations flu vaccination. The country now recommends adjuvanted and high-load vaccines for older people at the same level, that is, it will immunize the entire population aged 60 years and older with vaccines of increased immunogenicity.
In particular, the German Permanent Vaccination Commission (STICO) reviewed data on new influenza vaccines and adapted its immunization recommendations to combat this virus. Therefore, it recommends that all people over 60 years of age receive annual dose (in the fall) either high-dose inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine or MF59 adjuvanted influenza vaccine, each containing the current combination of antigens recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
That is, Germany issued a positive recommendation on Fluad Tetra (Seqirus adjuvanted vaccine, which protects against four strains of influenza virus and is indicated for adults aged 50 years and older) in the same circumstances as Efluelda Tetra (Sanofi’s high-load vaccine, which also protects against four strains of the virus and is indicated for people over 60 years of age).
STIKO received a total of 110 studies, of which 10 were on efficacy and 32 on safety, each compared to a standard vaccine.
Prevention through vaccination
STIKO notes that, in addition to seasonality, the epidemiology of influenza is characterized by strong fluctuations the annual increase in the number of infections, seriously ill patients and deaths associated with this virus. And it is older people who especially suffer from severe flu due to immunoaging or chronic diseases age related.
In its advisory document, Germany’s vaccine advisory body states that WHO estimates that about one billion people worldwide become infected with influenza each year, and 3 to 5 million become seriously ill. In addition, between 290,000 and 650,000 patients die each year worldwide due to the virus or its consequences. Therefore, preventing severe influenza through vaccination is critical. And in this sense, experts explain that Although it does not prevent infections, it does prevent hospitalizations and deaths..
In this context, coverage is not what is desired for the group of people aged 60 years and over. Namely, the risk of serious illness from the flu increases with age. In fact, STIKO emphasizes that although annual influenza vaccination has been recommended for this population since 1982, Only 43% of people over 60 have been vaccinated in the 2021/22 season. against influenza in Germany.
All in all, Vaccination in adulthood has moderate acceptability. in this country. The reasons for the low level of vaccination against seasonal influenza among people aged 60 years and older may be, according to STIKO, underestimation of the severity of a possible influenza infection, sometimes low effectiveness of vaccination in this age group, and intolerance to the context. previous vaccinations, logistical barriers or the need to repeat annual vaccinations before each season, among other things.
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