Prävention von Infektionen durch das Influenza- und respiratorische Synzytialvirus nach Aufhebung der Lockdown-Maßnahmen: Gemeinsames Statement der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Infektiologie (DGPI) und der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Pneumologie (GPP)

There have recently been reports of unusual outbreaks of respiratory infections in children due to influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the summer in the southern hemisphere. This phenomenon is attributed to the termination of the drastic hygiene measures to contain the pandemic triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The affected children were much older than anticipated. Coincident with the end of the present lockdown in summer, a similar situation could develop in Germany. Physicians and hospitals should be alerted to such a possibility. Interseasonal vaccines are not available for influenza but passive immunization against RSV could help to protect infants for whom appropriate indications exist according to the guidelines.