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Countless half-truths and misinformation circulate about influenza vaccination. The most common myths in fact checking: a doctor examined them.

October 18, 2018 at 10:01 am

High fever, muscle and joint pain and loss of appetite: these are the first typical symptoms of influenza, which forces many people to go to bed each fall and winter. "The flu shot, which should ideally be done every year in October or November, is the most effective prevention," she says. UNIQA Physician Peter Kritscher,

In terms of influenza vaccination, however, countless half-truths and misinformation circulate, reducing the willingness to vaccinate. He calls for the flu in Austria every year about 1,000 deaths and therefore costs more people life than traffic. Here are the main myths about influenza vaccination in fact checking:

"Influenza vaccines are superfluous because the flu can be treated with antibiotics."

Influenza is a disease caused by viruses. Antibiotics only help with bacterial infections, but not with influenza and other viral infections.

"The flu is dangerous only for the elderly."

At-risk groups who should at least be vaccinated against influenza include people over 60, patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women, people at particular risk, such as caregivers or caregivers natural. Healthy people with a strong immune system are less likely to get the flu. Nevertheless, the real flu being a burden to the body, the vaccine is generally recommended to all. "Especially when the elderly and chronically ill live in a household, all family members need to be vaccinated so that the disease can not be transmitted," Kritscher advises. Especially children being responsible for spreading the infection, the children's influenza vaccine is also effective in slowing down or even blocking the spread of the disease. Tip: For children, the vaccine comes in the form of a nasal spray, which facilitates the administration. Private health insurance such as UNIQA usually covers the cost of the vaccine and the vaccine.

"You can get sick despite a flu shot."

The influenza vaccine administered works only against common types of viruses. Because influenza viruses change shape again and again. Every year, experts from the World Health Organization identify the most common types of influenza viruses that can be targeted against vaccines. It can take up to nine months. Therefore, it is possible that influenza viruses currently circulating are different from those against which the current vaccine is acting. The vaccine does not protect against infections as well every year. After vaccination, the body takes about 10 to 14 days to protect enough against the infection. The flu vaccine also does not protect against infections that resemble flu and colds.

"Breastfed children do not need to be vaccinated as they receive the antibodies via bad milk."

In fact, since the antibodies are transmitted to the fetus by the blood during pregnancy, it makes sense to update their own vaccination status before becoming pregnant. With bad milk, the baby gets more antibodies. There is talk of so-called nest protection, which only supports the child's immune system in the first few months of life. However, it is not comprehensive enough to protect against certain infections. In addition, the mother can transmit only antibodies against diseases that she has herself undergone or against which she is vaccinated. In addition, vaccination of the mother during pregnancy against influenza and a current vaccination against pertussis (pertussis) are strongly recommended.

"Vaccines cause diseases against which you have to protect yourself."

The influenza vaccines used in Austria are inactivated and therefore do not trigger influenza. The influenza vaccine is generally well tolerated. "However, after vaccination, fever, nausea, fatigue, and swelling or redness at the injection site can usually occur," said Kritscher.

"The case for immunization is a propaganda of the pharmaceutical industry."

The Austrian Vaccine Plan is reviewed annually by the Federal Ministry of Health in close collaboration with experts from the National Vaccine Working Group. It is based on the latest scientific findings and provides evidence-based recommendations.