Improving protection

Adults neglect vaccinations against diseases such as influenza and pneumococcus especially often. Only around 38 percent of people aged 60 and over are vaccinated against influenza, although this age group is particularly at risk. The pertussis vaccination is particularly relevant for pregnant women. The vaccination rate improved here in the 2023/2024 season, but the flu vaccination rate in this group remains very low at 21%.

The COVID-19 booster vaccination has been offered since 2023/24 as a routine vaccination for risk groups, including people aged 60 and over and people with underlying conditions. But still, the vaccination rate in the over-60 age group was recently only 16 per cent, which is significantly lower than for the influenza vaccination.

Data on vaccination rates for people with underlying conditions are currently not available and will only be analysed by the end of 2025. Low immunisation rates can have consequences. Many infections, including influenza or measles, can be severe and even threaten the lives of young children, the elderly and people with underlying conditions.

Pregnant women do not take enough advantage of the opportunity to protect themselves and their children from infections and complications caused by diseases such as whooping cough. Other vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio have been driven back thanks to the immunisation of the population and could now become a problem again. Experts are therefore calling for increased education and targeted vaccination campaigns to reduce scepticism and ensure herd immunity.

The pharmacy team can be the contact persons if patients have questions about immunisations. Many people do not know if their immunisation status is up to date. Pharmacy teams can encourage patients to check their immunisation record or suggest that they look at the document together. The recommendations of the Standing Committee on Immunisation (STIKO) can also be discussed in the pharmacy.

The PTA can specifically emphasise the importance of vaccinations to older people, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses. Flyers, posters and direct dialogue can help here. The public generally has a high level of trust in pharmaceutical staff. Employees can therefore help to combat vaccination myths and reassure people that possible side effects are continuously recorded and evaluated.

They are generally minor compared to the severity of the diseases they prevent. Specially trained pharmacists are also authorised to administer vaccinations against influenza and COVID-19 themselves. This low-threshold access to the protective measure can also improve vaccination rates.

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