Union County Health Department

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Flu Key Facts

 

Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each fall.

There are two types of vaccines:

bulletThe "flu shot"—an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
bulletThe nasal-spray flu vaccine—a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses—one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists’ predictions about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

When to Get Vaccinated

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, including the 2005-06 season,

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

1.) People at high risk for complications from the flu:

bulletPeople 65 years and older;
bulletPeople who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses;
bulletAdults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma;
bulletAdults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]);
bulletChildren 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy. (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.);
bulletWomen who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
bulletAll children 6 to 23 months of age;
bulletPeople with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders.)

2.) People 50 to 64 years of age. Nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications.

3.) People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, caregivers of children 0 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy persons aged 2-49 years who are not pregnant.  This vaccine is not subject to prioritization and can be given to healthy 2-49 year olds at any time.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

There are some people who should not be vaccinated. These include:

bulletPeople who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
bulletPeople who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
bulletPeople who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
bulletChildren less than 6 months of age.
bulletPeople who are sick with a fever. (These people can get vaccinated once their symptoms lessen.)

Vaccine Effectiveness

The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu.

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:

bulletSoreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
bulletFever (low grade)
bulletAches

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.

 

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Last modified: 12-31-08