Here’s what you need to know about the flu shot

Ms. Jakopp, what are your recommendations regarding flu vaccination for this year?

Barbara Jakopp: We adhere to the recommendations of the BAG and the EKIF, the Federal Commission for Vaccination Issues. We recommend the flu vaccination to all people with an increased risk of complications.

So who needs a flu shot?

People over 65 years of age, pregnant women, children born prematurely up to two years of age and people with chronic diseases. To protect these people, vaccination is also recommended for people in their environment with whom they have regular contact. This includes family members, caregivers of infants and healthcare professionals.

If you have no risk profile or no close contact with persons at risk, then the vaccination is not necessary.

Barbara Jakopp, Senior Physician in Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention at the KSA

When should such a vaccination be done?

Flu vaccination is recommended before the flu season starts. Ideally, you should do it from mid-October to mid-November.

Is this also necessary for young people?

If you have no risk profile or no close contact with persons at risk, then the vaccination is not necessary.

Barbara Jakopp, Senior Physician mbF Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention / General Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Head of Travel Medicine, Head of Vaccination Center.

© Aargauer Zeitung/Dominic Kobelt

What does a flu shot do in the body?

The flu vaccine consists of four different flu viruses (two type A flu viruses and 2 type B flu viruses); the composition is determined by the WHO before the flu season on the basis of the prevailing flu variants. After the weakened or killed pathogens contained in the vaccine are administered, the body begins to produce antibodies against them. If there is contact with the flu virus in the course of the disease, the body is prepared and can produce antibodies immediately so that the disease does not break out.

The flu shot only protects against the flu virus.

Barbara Jakopp, Senior Physician in Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention at the KSA

How long does a vaccination last?

After a flu vaccination, it is assumed that the antibodies produced will protect you against the flu virus strains contained in the vaccine for several months.

Does the flu vaccine also protect against other diseases and viruses?

No, the flu shot only protects against the flu virus.

Further information from the BAG

A flu vaccination can be given at the same time as, before or after a Covid-19 vaccination. No minimum interval between an mRNA vaccination and other vaccinations is recommended.

Two conventional inactivated influenza vaccines are available for IM use in 2022: Fluarix Tetra® from the age of 36 months and Vaxigrip Tetra® from the age of 6 months. The new Efluelda® vaccine, also inactivated and for IM use, contains a higher amount of antigen and is approved for people aged 65 and over. Also new is the live attenuated vaccine Fluenz Tetra®. This is administered nasally as a spray and is approved for ages 2 to 17 years.

on www.schutzvordergrippe.ch you will find our recommendations as well as much more information, including the online flu vaccination check, promotional materials and details of the National Flu Vaccination Day on Friday, November 25, 2022.