by Ilse Romahn
(04.10.2022) The hygiene measures to protect against infection have so far largely prevented an influenza epidemic during the corona pandemic. This is shown by an analysis by BARMER. On average, however, there will be more sick leave due to flu in 2022 than in the previous year. From January to the first week of September this year, an average of 76 percent more people were on sick leave than in the same period last year.
“The more people who are now being vaccinated against influenza, the better the chances of preventing an influenza epidemic in autumn and winter,” says Martin Till, State Manager of BARMER in Hesse. This could contribute to low sickness rates and thus to important relief in working life, in health care and nursing.
Flu currently under control
In March of the flu record year 2018, there were up to 1,700 new sick reports per week due to flu infections among BARMER policyholders in Hesse. “The very high level of sick leave in 2018 was already offset by significantly lower numbers at the beginning of the corona pandemic. This was certainly also due to the hygiene measures to protect against corona infections,” explains Till. In March 2020, among other things, the first lockdown reduced the number of BARMER policyholders in Hesse who had the flu on average per week from over 500 to around 90. In the current year, the number of sick leave per week has remained in the double digits even during the peak phase of the flu season during the winter months.
Immunization against influenza offers important protection
“Of course there is no guarantee that the incidence rate will remain as low in the next flu season. Adjustments to the hygiene rules and increased stays indoors could lead to more flu infections again. This is all the more true when only a few people have been vaccinated against influenza,” explains Till. People who have daily contact with many people, senior citizens, the chronically ill and pregnant women should take advantage of the additional protection. The immunization also helps to prevent the flu from spreading in waves. According to Till, BARMER covers the costs of the flu vaccination for all insured persons.
Highly effective vaccine for people over 60
“In particular, I recommend people who belong to a risk group because of a previous illness or advanced age to also think about the flu vaccination. The additional protection not only makes you feel good, but also those close to you,” says Till. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) again recommends vaccination with a high-dose vaccine for people over 60 years of age, which develops a particularly high protective effect thanks to a fourfold increase in the amount of antigen. The conventional flu vaccine offers all younger people good protection against infection. More than 24 million doses of influenza vaccine have already been approved by the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Germany.