There are still considerable vaccination gaps in the population

Despite the high preventive effectiveness of vaccinations and the comparatively low cost, there are still considerable vaccination gaps in the population. This is according to analyses by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

Due to an increased risk of severe disease progression, prophylaxis against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) for under-one-year-olds since June 2024. Newborns and infants receive antibodies that protect against severe RSV infections. The protective effect was already clearly evident in the following RSV season. The number of transmitted cases among under-one-year-olds halved. Between April and September 2024, the first year since the recommendation was introduced, 49 percent of infants in the Ludwigsburg district received RSV prophylaxis.

RSV vaccination recommended for various groups of people

However, people aged 75 and over and people aged 60 and over with certain underlying illnesses also have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill with RSV-related respiratory infections and requiring intensive medical treatment or dying as a result. The RSV vaccination is therefore also recommended for people aged 75 and over and for people aged 60 and over with serious pre-existing conditions or in care facilities and is one-off, well tolerated and effective.

Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cancer of the cervix, throat and anogenital area. To protect against this, vaccination against HPV is recommended for all children and adolescents aged 9 to 14 in Germany. The HPV vaccination should be completed by the 18th birthday at the latest. Many health insurance companies even cover the costs up to the age of 26 and in some cases even for older people.

In the Ludwigsburg district, 47% of 15-year-old girls and 34% of 15-year-old boys were fully vaccinated against HPV in 2024. The rates are therefore higher than the national figures, but well below the 90% target set by the World Health Organization.

Initial protective effects of HPV vaccination despite low vaccination rates in Germany

Since 2018, the Department of Health has been conducting annual HPV campaigns with the medical profession for all sixth-graders, and since 2024, J1 campaigns for 12 to 14-year-olds to increase the number of youth health check-ups. Despite the low vaccination rates in Germany, the first protective effects are becoming visible at population level, according to a publication by the Robert Koch Institute. For example, the rate of new cases of cervical cancer among younger women aged 20 to 34 has fallen. It has fallen continuously from 7.8 per 100,000 women in 2015 to 4.3 in 2023.

Since last year, the STIKO has recommended vaccination against meningococci groups A, C, W and Y for all children and adolescents aged 12 to 14. Revaccinations are possible up to the age of 25. This protects against serious, sometimes life-threatening infections such as meningitis and blood poisoning. This does not affect the vaccination recommendation against meningococcal B, which has been recommended for infants since 2024.

Vaccinations also have considerable economic benefits

Vaccinations can permanently eradicate some diseases - such as smallpox worldwide. At the same time, vaccinations have a significant economic benefit through lower costs for the treatment of vaccine-preventable diseases and a reduction in productivity losses due to illness. High vaccination rates help to prevent epidemics and pandemics or contain them more quickly.

In addition to discussing the exact funding guidelines, the event will explain in detail the function and use of the profil app for documenting the types of identification that occur and will address changes when applying for the ÖR 5 and FAKT II B3.2 measures.

The aim of the event is to make participants fit for the use of the profil app, the error-free documentation of their identification types and the correct uploading of images.

Participation is free of charge

Two identical events will be offered on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and Wednesday, April 29, 2026, each from 7 to 9 pm. Participation is free of charge. Registration is not necessary. The access link to both events is

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/383042605975576?p=bvvz8xJsZLNd86HQhj

Proof of plant species is a prerequisite for funding

Indicator species are representative plant species that must occur in extensive grassland management. The indicator species are part of a state-specific list and must be identified on the land in order to receive agricultural funding. From 2026, the indicator species in permanent grassland for the ÖR 5 eco-scheme and the FAKT II B3.2 funding program for agri-environment, climate protection and animal welfare must be verified exclusively via the photo documentation in the "profil (bw)" app.

Where to get answers

Further information can be found on the homepage of the information service of the Ludwigsburg Lower Agricultural Authority www.ludwigsburg.landwirtschaft-bw.de.

The contact person for questions during the event is Dorothee Steinle, District Office Rems-Murr-Kreis, Tel.: 07151 501-4243.

For general questions about the event, interested parties can contact Alicia Läpple, Biodiversity Advisory Service, Ludwigsburg District Office on 07141 144-43010 and by email at Alicia.Laepple[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de.

After the death of their mother, sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav, a once renowned film director. Their relationship is strained due to his long absence and his alcohol problem. He offers Nora, a theater actress, a role in his comeback film. When Nora declines, she soon realizes that he has given her role to an eager young Hollywood actress. Old family dynamics get rolling. And it gradually becomes clear that father and daughters are more alike than they thought. Maybe it's not too late for a new beginning after all? The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival and an Oscar for Best International Film.

Interested parties can test their reaction times with intoxication goggles

Afterwards, interested parties will have the chance to find out more about the topic of alcohol in old age.

Participants can test their ability to react with the intoxication goggles on an obstacle course. The visual distortion caused by intoxication goggles simulates the impairment caused by alcohol or drug consumption. A quiz with small prizes invites you to take part.

The price of 9 euros includes admission to the movie and coffee or tea. The event is a cooperation between the Stadtseniorenrat Ludwigsburg e.V., the Central Filmtheater Ludwigsburg and the health department of the district administration.

Commanders voted in favor of reappointment in advance

Korz's current term of office ends in June 2026. In the run-up to his reappointment, the commanders of the municipal and plant fire departments in the district were consulted. They spoke out in favor of a further term of office. This will begin on June 27, 2026.

Deputy district fire chiefs take on management and leadership tasks

The deputy district fire chiefs deputize for the full-time district fire chief Andy Dorroch as required and support him with management and leadership tasks. Together, they form a working group to coordinate key issues in the district's fire department. The district of Ludwigsburg has a total of three deputy district fire chiefs: Thomas Korz, Jochen Reuschle and Matthias Häußler.

For over 15 years, the Women's Info Days have been an integral part of supporting the personal and professional success of women. They create a framework in which development can not only be discussed, but also initiated.

The focus is on topics such as further training, starting a business and self-marketing

This year's focus: "Perspectives for tomorrow", with topics such as part-time training and work, balancing roles, further training, setting up a business and self-marketing - as well as offers such as "Creatively out of the crisis", "Paths to green jobs", "Career workshop", "Silver star - Diamondleague" (online lecture for women over 50) and much more.

Deficits such as the gender gap can only be overcome together

The compatibility of family, care and career plays a central role in all areas. Only together can deficits such as the gender pay gap, which refers to the lower earned income of women, be overcome. "Strengthening the family benefits everyone," says Cynthia Schönau, Equal Opportunities Officer for the Ludwigsburg district.

Everyone pulls together

Starting in the district of Ludwigsburg, the successful model of the Women's Info Days was extended to the entire Stuttgart region this year. The participating employment agencies, job centers and equal opportunities officers as well as the head of the project "The Chänce - Weiterbildungsscout" of the Zentrum für Digitalisierung Landkreis Böblingen (ZD.BB) are all pulling together. The Marbach Institute for Business Geography has been involved from the outset.

Information, free program and registration at:

www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/fraueninfotage

On site, the participants were given a comprehensive insight into the processes of a modern extraction and processing plant. All the key steps were presented - from blasting the shell limestone to processing, loading and regional marketing of the raw materials.

Regional raw materials important for the construction industry

The quarry in Mundelsheim illustrates the great importance of regional raw material deposits for the construction industry: the extracted materials are mainly used in the immediate vicinity and form a central basis for numerous infrastructure and construction projects in the region.

Focus on sustainability: recycling and recultivation

In addition to the extraction of raw materials, the visit also focused on sustainable aspects. Among other things, modern recycling approaches and the gradual recultivation of the extraction areas were presented, which compensate for the impact on the landscape in the long term.

Café Auszeit takes place in the common room of the retirement home, Hermannstraße 12-14, in Kornwestheim. The number of participants is limited, so please register in advance. By telephone on 07141 144-2462 or by email at pflegeauszeit[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de.

Overview of dates:

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Common room of the retirement home, Hermannstraße 12-14, 70806 Kornwestheim

Wood anemones, wood primroses, bluestem, wood violets or the fragrant leather flower: Anyone strolling through the woods at the moment can observe how nature is gradually reawakening after the winter. "Many of these spring-flowering plants are geophytes. They have underground storage organs and use the sunlight while the treetops are still bare," explains Dr. Simon Boden, Head of the Forestry Department at the Ludwigsburg District Office.

Many species are protected

As tempting as it is to pick the harbingers of spring, many species are protected. Wood anemones, primroses and leatherworts, for example, are not allowed to be collected.

Commercial use requires a permit

The State Forest Act only permits the picking of non-protected plants up to the quantity of a hand bouquet for personal use. Commercial use is generally subject to authorization. The most sustainable way is to enjoy the flowers where they grow, as the memory of the nature experience lasts much longer than a bouquet in a vase.

Collecting wild garlic: allowed, but caution is advised

Collecting wild garlic is very popular. "Collecting as a hand bouquet is permitted, but caution is advised," explains Boden. Wild garlic can easily be confused with poisonous plants such as lily of the valley or autumn crocus. Only those who are sure should harvest wild garlic, as eating lily of the valley and autumn crocus can be life-threatening. Important distinguishing features: The underside of wild garlic leaves is dull green and they have a thin stalk with which each leaf grows individually from the ground. Lilies of the valley, on the other hand, form pairs of leaves on the stem and their undersides are shiny. Like the lily of the valley, the bright green, shiny leaves of the autumn crocus grow sessile from a rosette.

Forest as a recreational area - consideration protects nature and animals

The forests in the district of Ludwigsburg fulfill a variety of functions: They are habitats for numerous animal and plant species, climate protectors and important recreational areas at the same time. Around three quarters of the forest areas in the district are designated as recreational forests.

"The forest has a positive effect on health and well-being," says Boden. "At the same time, this time of year is sensitive for many wild animals - breeding, setting and rearing season have begun." To avoid disturbance, the forestry department asks that you stay on the paths and show consideration for others.

The all-clear has now been given for citizens who drank the contaminated water before the health authorities issued their urgent warning. Even if this was several liters, their health was not endangered. Rather, the impairment was mainly of an odorous nature. This is the conclusion reached by the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office in Freiburg, which examined the first sample of the contaminated water and delivered its findings today, Friday, April 10.

Measures taken were aimed at protection

Nevertheless, the measures taken were essential, as it was unclear what substances the water was contaminated with and whether these could cause any damage to health. The specialist authorities had made the appropriate recommendations to prevent adverse health effects.

The specific measurement results of the water sample taken from the water tower on April 2, 2026

Toluene: 1.1 µg/l

m- and p-xylene: 1.2 µg/l

o-xylene: 0.62 µg/l

Total trihalomethanes: 9.6 µg/l

Explanation of the substances detected

There are no statutory limits for toluene and xylene in the Drinking Water Ordinance. The limit value for benzene, which is significantly more harmful to health, is used to assess the concentrations. This limit value is designed for a lifelong consumption of 2 liters of drinking water per day. The limit value for benzene according to the Drinking Water Ordinance is 1 µg/l. This limit value may be exceeded according to the recommendation "Dealing with deviations according to the Drinking Water Ordinance" and may be up to 20 µg/l as long as this does not occur for more than 3 years.

At 9.6 µg/l, the sum of trihalomethanes was below the limit value of 50 µg/l. These substances are formed when the water, as in this case the water from the Lake Constance water supply, is chlorinated and the chlorine in the disinfectant reacts with organic substances.

Further information on toluene and xylene

Toluene and xylene are highly volatile substances. They can be found in petrol and DIY products containing toluene/xylene. Through contact with these substances, people absorb toluene and xylene primarily by inhalation, i.e. by breathing. The odor threshold of both substances is significantly lower than the concentrations above which a harmful effect on health has been observed.

Playful learning: test your knowledge and discover new things

There will also be plenty of fun: interested visitors can test their knowledge with quizzes and a matching game and find out which local products can replace exotic "superfoods" - including the chance to win a great prize.

"With its trade fair presence, the Middle Neckar Nutrition Center is sending out a clear signal for sustainable nutrition, regionality and conscious enjoyment. The aim is to inspire consumers to eat local food more often - which is good for their health, the environment and the region," says the head of the nutrition center, Ludmilla Scheel.

Background on the Middle Neckar Nutrition Center

The Middle Neckar Nutrition Center at the Ludwigsburg District Office is an independent information center of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection and the Ludwigsburg district. It connects producers and consumers and offers a wide range of formats - from workshops and factory tours to lectures, lessons and media contributions. The focus is on sustainable, healthy nutrition, regional and seasonal food and the prevention of food waste. Practical relevance and professional expertise make these topics clear and tangible.

If you have any questions, please contact the head of the nutrition center, Ludmilla Scheel, by phone or email: Tel: 07141 144-42841, Mail: Ludmilla.Scheel[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de