STIKO Advises Early Flu Vaccination for 2025 Season
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) has issued guidelines for the 2025 flu season. They advise healthcare professionals to generally offer the influenza vaccination in September or October to ensure protection before the flu season begins, ideally between October and November.
Experts recommend getting the flu vaccine in September or October, before influenza activity begins to pick up. It takes 2 weeks for your body to develop antibodies that provide protection after receiving the flu vaccine. Therefore, it's crucial to get vaccinated early.
Seasonal flu vaccines protect against two types of influenza viruses: influenza A and influenza B. For the 2024 to 2025 flu season, all available vaccines are trivalent, protecting against two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus. While trivalent vaccines are available, quadrivalent vaccines, which protect against an additional influenza B virus, are also an option.
While the vaccine offers protection, it's still important to practice good hygiene and avoid crowds for 2 weeks after getting the flu vaccine. Influenza is a viral respiratory infection that affects millions of people each year, so taking these precautions can help prevent the spread of the virus.
In summary, the STIKO recommends getting the flu vaccine in September or October to ensure protection before the flu season begins. The vaccine protects against influenza A and B viruses and offers protection for the duration of the current flu season. However, it's essential to continue practicing good hygiene and avoiding crowds for 2 weeks after vaccination.
