The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) recommends a simultaneous vaccination against corona and flu. Concerns that one of the two vaccines would no longer be effective afterwards are unfounded, according to Stiko chairman Thomas Mertens.
A simultaneous vaccination against the flu and the coronavirus is, according to the opinion of the head of the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko), harmless. There are no indications that one of the two vaccines will no longer work, said Stiko chairman Thomas Mertens “MDR Aktuell”. “In this respect, this precautionary measure of pulling the two vaccinations apart is no longer necessary.”
Stiko boss: flu vaccination makes sense for high-risk patients
Mertens campaigned for people from risk groups to be vaccinated against the flu. If there are fewer protective measures against the corona virus this year, such as wearing a mask and keeping your distance, people are particularly at risk. “In this respect, a flu vaccination makes sense for these risk groups mentioned.”
The Stiko boss also responded to fears that the flu vaccine could offer less protection this year because fewer people were infected with flu and data could be missing in the past season. He thinks this fear is unfounded, said Mertens. Laboratories around the world studied influenza viruses year round. That is the basis for the composition of the vaccines.
