Germany’s intensive care physicians are urgently advocating for a significant expansion of influenza vaccination recommendations amidst anticipation of an early and potentially severe flu season. At the annual congress of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive and Emergency Medicine (Divi) in Hamburg, Divi President Florian Hoffmann publicly challenged the Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) to broaden its recommendations to include all individuals aged six months and older, according to reports in “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
Currently, Stiko’s influenza vaccination guidance primarily targets individuals aged 60 and those considered at high risk. However, Divi’s own data paints a concerning picture. Last season, a disproportionate number of children, many without pre-existing conditions, suffered severe influenza infections. Between January and May, approximately 135,000 individuals were hospitalized due to the flu, including nearly 30,000 minors. Divi reports a deeply troubling statistic: 500 children and adolescents required ventilation support and tragically, 82 lost their lives.
The crux of Divi’s argument extends beyond protecting vulnerable children. Intensive care specialists believe children and adolescents are key drivers of influenza transmission within families and schools. A wider vaccination campaign, they contend, would effectively curb the spread of the virus beyond the immediate protection afforded to individual children. Hoffmann’s criticism was pointed, describing Germany’s current vaccination rates as disappointingly low and dismissing the perception of influenza as a minor illness, emphasizing its potential for serious complications.
This push for broader vaccination is not without its detractors. Nicole Töpfner, Chairwoman of the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (DGPI), expressed reservations, arguing that the majority of healthy children and adolescents recover adequately from influenza. DGPI does not deem a universal recommendation for all children as essential, prioritizing instead the protection of high-risk groups and their close contacts. Töpfner acknowledged that parents of healthy children retain the option of vaccination even without a Stiko endorsement.
The Stiko itself has adopted a cautious stance. Berit Lange, Chairwoman of the Influenza Working Group within Stiko, conceded that Germany is currently experiencing a rise in influenza cases but within expected parameters. She stated that any deviation from standard procedures for adjusting recommendations is currently unwarranted. However, Lange assured that the matter remains a high priority and the committee is actively working to swiftly evaluate the available data. The hesitancy reflects a broader political and scientific debate surrounding mandatory or expansive vaccination programs within Germany, highlighting the complexities of balancing individual liberties with public health concerns in the face of potentially escalating respiratory illnesses.