Influenza (Flu) Vaccination
30 December 2022 | Article is written by Foon HF (Lovy Pharmacy)
(Image credit: CDC/Unsplash)
Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?
Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against the flu.
How do flu vaccines work?
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. The flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.
There are flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). These include an Influenza A (H1N1) virus, an Influenza A (H3N2) and 2 influenza B viruses.
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09- like virus
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2) - like virus
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 - like virus and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 - like virus
The type and amount of viral antigens contained in Vaxigrip Tetra conform to the annual requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the season 2022/2023.
- Prevention of illness and hospitalization
- Life-saving for those with severe lung problem, severe pulmonary disease e.g. asthma, diabetes problems, chronic cardiac/circulatory problems and immune deficiency
- Protect women during and after pregnancy
- Reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick
- Reduction of the risk of spreading the flu to people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine annually. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.
- Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu shot
- People with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine. This might include gelatin, antibiotics, or other ingredients. Special consideration for those with eggs allergy
- If you have ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS), consult a doctor before getting the vaccine; some people with a history of GBS should not get this vaccine
- If you are not feeling well or having a fever
If you have any of the above conditions, please talk to the doctor or nurse before receiving the vaccine.
The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you will not get a flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that may occur are:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
- Fever (low grade)
- Aches
Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to help protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu.