Key
Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine
The
single best way to protect against the
flu is to get vaccinated each year.
There
are two types of vaccines:
- The
"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.
- The
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” or
FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is
approved for use in healthy*
people 2-49 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' estimations 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
Yearly
flu vaccination should begin in September
or as soon as vaccine is available and
continue throughout the influenza season,
into December, January, and beyond. This
is because the timing and duration
of influenza seasons
vary. While influenza
outbreaks can happen as early
as October, most of the
time influenza activity peaks
in January or
later.
Who
Should Get Vaccinated
In
general, anyone who wants to reduce their
chances of getting the flu can get
vaccinated. However, it is recommended by
ACIP that 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, ACIP makes recommendations
regarding priority groups for
vaccination.
People
who should get vaccinated each year are:
- Children
aged 6 months up to their 19th
birthday
- Pregnant
women
- People
50 years of age and older
- People
of any age with certain chronic
medical conditions
- People
who live in nursing homes and
other long-term care facilities
- People
who live with or care for those
at high risk for complications
from flu, including:
- a. Health
care workers
b. Household
contacts of persons at
high risk for
complications from the
flu
c. Household
contacts and out of home
caregivers of children
less than 6 months of age
(these children are too
young to be vaccinated)
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* people 2-49
years of age who are not pregnant.
Who
Should Not Be Vaccinated
There
are some people who should not be
vaccinated without first consulting a
physician. These include
- People
who have a severe allergy to
chicken eggs.
- People
who have had a severe reaction to
an influenza vaccination.
- People
who developed Guillain-Barré
syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks
of getting an influenza vaccine.
- Children
less than 6 months of age
(influenza vaccine is not
approved for this age group), and
- People
who have a moderate-to-severe
illness with a fever (they should
wait until they recover to get
vaccinated.)
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)
Different
side effects can be associated with the
flu shot and LAIV.
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
- Soreness,
redness, or swelling where the
shot was given
- Fever
(low grade)
- Aches
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. As of July 1, 2005, people who
think that they have been injured by the
flu shot can file a claim for
compensation from the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
(VICP).
LAIV(FluMist®):The
viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are
weakened and do not cause severe symptoms
often associated with influenza illness.
(In clinical studies, transmission of
vaccine viruses to close contacts has
occurred only rarely.)
In
children, side effects from LAIV
(FluMist®) can include
- runny
nose
- wheezing
- headache
- vomiting
- muscle
aches
- fever
In
adults, side effects from LAIV
(FluMist®) can include
- runny
nose
- headache
- sore
throat
- cough
More
Information
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