When it comes to vaccination, almost everything currently revolves around Corona.
But other dangers should not be underestimated as a result.
Munich - A look at the signal red tick warning card is frightening: With the exception of the Fürstenfeldbruck district and the cities of Munich, Augsburg and Schweinfurt, all of Bavaria is a TBE risk area.
There is a high risk of developing early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE) after a tick bite, which in severe cases can lead to meningitis, encephalitis or spinal cord inflammation and even death.
No matter where you live in Bavaria, the Munich general and tropical medicine specialist Dr.
Markus Frühwein advises urgently to get vaccinated against this danger.
Because there are also TBE cases in Munich.
“Only because of the relatively large number of inhabitants, Munich has not been a risk area so far.” You shouldn't stick to statistical figures.
"We have TBE everywhere in southern Germany and Austria."
Danger from tick bites: RKI warns because of low vaccination rate
The Robert Koch Institute complains that the vaccination rate is too low, especially in risk areas - it is currently not enough to prevent a sharp increase in TBE cases. For the past year alone, the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety reported 280 cases of TBE and 6259 Lyme disease, which are also transmitted by ticks. More infections than ever before.
The explanation is simple: “People are more outside. We have home offices, fitness studios are closed, and many sports can no longer be practiced. Much is moving outdoors. Where it's green, there are ticks, ”says Frühwein. In his practice, the general practitioner observes that the number of TBE vaccinations is increasing. However, if you have just been vaccinated against Corona, you should not have any other vaccination two weeks before and after the peak.
The fact that patients are currently having problems getting an appointment for an urgently required vaccination booster can only be explained by Frühwein due to organizational obstacles.
If practices have integrated the corona vaccinations into normal day-to-day office hours, things can “get hot”.
However, many practices did the corona vaccinations outside of regular office hours.
"Then there is just as much time in the office hours as before."
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At the beginning of the Whitsun holidays, medical professionals remind of the importance of vaccination against tick-borne TBE.
© Patrick Pleul / dpa
Tick vaccination: Tense situation in the practices due to Corona
However, the situation is currently tense.
"Because after the prioritization is lifted, all of the patients' practices are completely besieged over the phone." A nonsensical decision, as Frühwein thinks.
Because then there is no longer any vaccine.
At the moment, however, he thinks it is very important “that we don't forget the other vaccinations because of Corona”.
In addition to the tick vaccination, he is thinking of vaccinations against pneumonia, shingles and whooping cough, especially for older people.
Protection against ticks: what to watch out for after being outdoors
Those who go on excursions into nature during the Whitsun holidays should theoretically wear long clothes, socks and high-heeled shoes to protect themselves from ticks.
Frühwein laughs: “That's a nice recommendation.
But who does that?
If it's 35 degrees outside and you go for a walk in the forest - that's not realistic. ”You can apply mosquito repellants that are also effective against ticks, that works quite well.
It is crucial that you search your body after a hike.
A discovered tick should be grasped with tweezers just above the skin and pulled out slowly and straight.
That makes sense as a protection against Lyme disease - because it decides how long the contact between the tick and the human was.
The transmission arises only through the "blood meal".
If a circular reddening develops at the puncture site, then you should see a doctor.
He will prescribe an antibiotic.
The TBE, however, will be transmitted immediately.
Therefore only the vaccination helps.
Small children can also be vaccinated against TBE - Frühwein recommends it from the age of two.
By the way: The most important stories from the Free State are now also available in our brand new, regular Bayern newsletter.
List of rubric lists: © Patrick Pleul / dpa