"Prevention is better than cure" – this proverb appears in many cultures. Yet, in our daily lives, we often forget how much prevention supports our lives. The fact that schools stay open, clinics are not overwhelmed, businesses can plan, and high performance in training or at work remains possible has a lot to do with a quiet safety net: vaccinations. They are unremarkable at the moment of the injection – and spectacular in their collective impact on health, energy, and productivity.

A vaccination trains the immune system without having to experience the disease. The vaccine contains either harmless components of a pathogen or a blueprint for it. This leads to the formation of antibodies and memory cells that respond more quickly upon contact with the actual pathogen. Important terms explained briefly: Herd immunityindirect protection for unvaccinated individuals when enough people are immune, Immunogenicitythe ability of a vaccine to elicit an immune response, Antigenic diversitythe variety of variants of a pathogen that complicates vaccine development. For high performers, this means: fewer sick days, more stable training cycles, and predictable performance corridors – an underestimated lever for longevity and consistently high energy.

Vaccinations are among the most effective public health measures and significantly reduce illness and mortality – this is supported by extensive evidence and is described as a cornerstone of modern health systems ^[1][2]. Particularly, seasonal influenza vaccinations reduce severe cases and deaths while simultaneously enhancing countries' ability to respond quickly in the event of a pandemic, as infrastructure and production capacity are trained and available ^[3]. This has a concrete productivity lever: fewer absences during flu seasons, less strain on hospitals, and greater resilience of teams and supply chains. Furthermore, data show that countries with high influenza vaccination rates achieved higher COVID-19 vaccination rates more quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic – a systemic advantage that saves lives and promotes societal stability ^[3].

A large review shows: Despite the high effectiveness of vaccinations, vaccine skepticism hampers the protection of the population. Drivers include misinformation, safety concerns, and political influences. Effective countermeasures are trustworthy ambassadors, higher health literacy, and lower barriers to access; the authors advocate for community-based initiatives and clear vaccination policies to rebuild trust ^[1]. A nationwide analysis in China with over 30,000 participants identified eleven factors that shape vaccination willingness – including health literacy, education, urban residence, income, and media motivation. The result: precise, target-group-specific information strategies and personalized vaccination offers significantly increase participation ^[2]. Additionally, a large-scale experiment with physicians shows: The public vastly underestimates how much healthcare professionals support vaccinations. Merely correcting this misperception increased vaccination rates over several months – a scalable, cost-effective lever that underscores the importance of professional communication ^[4].

- Actively educate your environment: Share reliable information from official sources and refer to the strong evidence for the efficacy and safety of vaccinations; rely on trustworthy ambassadors in your community to correct misinformation ^[1]. Adapt tone and content to target groups with lower health literacy, as the data suggest ^[2].
- Plan your season: Participate in voluntary influenza vaccination programs – ideally before the onset of the flu season. This way, you reduce downtime, protect your team, and train the healthcare system for crisis situations ^[3].
- Harness progress: Monitor new generations of vaccines, such as multiepitope designs aimed at broader immunity against variable pathogens ^[5], and AI-supported developments for better target selection and safety. Proactively ask your medical team about availability and suitability ^[6].
- Promote global fairness: Support initiatives that ensure equitable access to vaccines – through donations, corporate partnerships, or political engagement. An international agreement with clear compliance mechanisms can reduce future shortages and preventable deaths ^[7].
- Train communication: Medical voices are highly trustworthy. If you work in healthcare, actively address the common misperception about physicians' stance on vaccinations – this measurably increases acceptance ^[4].

Vaccinations quietly secure the foundation for our daily lives: fewer sick days, more energy, and greater capacity for performance. Next steps: schedule your influenza vaccination, actively share information within your environment, and inquire about new, tailored vaccination offers during your next doctor's appointment.