The assessment that the wave has begun is based on results from a surveillance system that examines samples from people with acute respiratory illnesses. The system routinely looks for various pathogens, such as rhinoviruses, Sars-CoV-2 and influenza. However, the RKI is also registering significantly more reports of influenza cases from the federal states than usual at this time of year. This is probably also due to the recommendation since the Corona pandemic that respiratory symptoms should also be tested for influenza viruses.
In Germany, flu vaccinations are recommended for people over 60 as well as pregnant women, the chronically ill, residents of old people's homes and nursing homes, and people at increased occupational risk.