Flu Wave May Hit Schleswig-Holstein Earlier This Year, Vaccination Rates Lag
Kiel, germany – Health officials in schleswig-Holstein are warning that the flu season may begin earlier than usual this winter, potentially leading to a severe wave of illness. While the typical start is around the beginning of January, current indicators suggest the season could arrive sooner, prompting renewed calls for preventative measures.
The concern comes as vaccination rates continue to decline across the region. Despite recommendations from health experts like Dr. Fickenscher,who states a flu vaccination is “the best thing you can do,” uptake is substantially lower than desired. Around 318,000 people with statutory health insurance in Schleswig-Holstein received a flu vaccination in 2024 – approximately eight percent fewer than in 2023 and nearly 16 percent fewer than in 2020, according to Barmer health insurance.
Symptoms of the flu include sudden fever, chills, muscle pain, and cough. The World Health Institution (WHO) and the European Union recommend that 75 percent of at-risk groups – including pregnant women,those with chronic illnesses,and individuals over 60 – be vaccinated. However, national data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) shows only 38.2 percent of older people nationwide were vaccinated in 2023/24, with Schleswig-Holstein slightly higher at 47.4 percent.
“Vaccination is the best prevention. It is incomprehensible that so few use it to protect themselves and others,” said Barmer spokesman Torsten Nowak, emphasizing the potential for reduced economic damage and prevention of serious illness with higher vaccination rates. Dr.Fickenscher believes the current flu vaccination remains “largely effective” despite a new mutation of the virus.
