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Until now, people at risk are supposed to get a flu shot. Another strategy would be to vaccinate children.
At the beginning of the influenza season, vaccination is requested from risk groups in this country. Because they are particularly at risk for the flu. But pediatricians want a rethink: not only risk groups, but especially children should be vaccinated.
Infectiologist Christoph Berger of Children’s Hospital Zurich is not surprised. As chairman of the Federal Commission for Immunization Affairs, you know that children are frankly transmitters of viruses when it comes to the flu. “We know that when you have the flu, children shed a lot of the virus,” says Christoph Berger. “He has high levels of these viruses in his nose and respiratory tract. And: they stay longer in children. “
It is also often children who have to see a doctor because of the flu. That is why they would also be ideal candidates for the vaccine. Also, vaccination would work best in children and young adults. Their immune system is intact, so the vaccine is more effective than in older people.
England depends on children
Other countries, like England, vaccinate children instead of the risk group. You will be vaccinated at school, for free. England achieved a vaccination rate for children of almost 60 percent last year.
“If you protect children across the board, fewer flu viruses will circulate in the population,” says Christoph Berger. That is an attractive strategy. However, you need a lot of vaccinations and also a lot of children to participate. “For a population effect, critical vaccination coverage of children is required. So that is also very promising. “
Several studies show: If children are vaccinated, this also reduces the death rate of the elderly. Depending on the study, this is three to four times less. In Japan, for example, the death curve decreased markedly when all schoolchildren were vaccinated by decree.
BAG insists on existing vaccination strategy
Markus Witschi, chief of vaccination strategy for the Federal Office of Public Health, knows about this connection. However, the FOPH recommends annual influenza vaccination primarily for people at high risk of serious illness and their contact persons.
As in England, recommending vaccination to all children is not a problem in this country. “It would be too quick of a strategy change,” says Mark Witschi. “I would not understand it and we would have very few doses of vaccine.” A comparison: Switzerland has 1.8 million doses of flu vaccines, England gives 30 million doses for free.
Nasal spray instead of syringe
In England, however, a different vaccine is used in children. This is administered directly through a nasal spray. Currently, this is not allowed in Switzerland. A vaccine variant that Christoph Berger, the head of the Vaccination Commission, would like to see in Switzerland: “My wish is that the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health clarifies whether this vaccine can also be obtained in Switzerland.” Because that would significantly promote the willingness to vaccinate in children.
“The BAG does not have a legal mandate to persuade vaccine manufacturers to bring certain vaccines to Switzerland,” says Mark Witschi. “But of course we are in contact with the manufacturers to see if they would be willing to apply for approval in Switzerland. We then develop recommendations accordingly. ”Until then, everyone who wants to get vaccinated has to accept a pikker.
How do you think Switzerland should handle vaccination recommendations for children? Let us know in the comments.