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Influenza immunization (vaccine)    See images

Overview

Alternative names:

Vaccine - influenza; Flu shot immunization; Flu vaccine

Information

VACCINE INFORMATION
The viruses that cause influenza change rapidly, making different strains coexist on the planet at any given time. Influenza vaccines are developed each year to protect people from the three strains expected to be most prevalent. All the viruses in the vaccine are killed, so it is not possible to get the flu from the vaccine. Since the immunity provided by the vaccine wanes after several months, it is given at the beginning of the "flu season" -- usually late October or early November in the United States. People traveling to other countries should be aware that influenza occurs throughout the year in tropical countries and that the "flu season" for temperate countries in the Southern Hemisphere is April to September.

IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE
The vaccine is recommended for high-risk people:

• all people 65 years or older
• adults and children with chronic lung or heart problems such as cystic fibrosis
• people with sicle cell anemia and other hemoglobinopathies
• residents of nursing homes (extended care facilities)
• residents of any institution housing people with chronic health problems
• people treated in the last year for kidney disease, anemia, severe asthma, or chronic metabolic illnesses (such as diabetes or chronic liver disease).
• people with immunological deficits (such as chemotherapy patients and HIV-positive people)
• children and teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy

The vaccine is also recommended for health care providers attending to high-risk people:

• health care personnel in hospital, outpatient, extended care facilities, and home health care
• family members attending to the needs of high-risk people in their home

BENEFITS
Most people achieve protection from influenza vaccine approximately 2 weeks after receiving the immunization.

Immunization of high-risk people decreases many potential deaths from influenza. Immunization of those caring for high-risk people decreases the potential of spreading the "flu" from otherwise healthy people to those who are at higher risk of complications.

RISKS
Most people have no side effects from the influenza vaccine. Soreness at the injection site or minor aches and low grade fever may be present for several days.

Unlike the swine flu vaccine of 1976, flu vaccines in recent years have shown no association with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in children, and an extremely small increase in the risk of GBS in adults (approximately 1 more case per million persons immunized). This risk is far outweighed by the amount of severe influenza prevented by immunization.

As is the case with any drug or vaccine, there is a remote possibility that allergic, more serious reactions or even death may occur after receiving the flu shot.

DELAY OR DO NOT GIVE (CONTRAINDICATIONS)
Influenza vaccine should be withheld or only given to the following after consultation with the primary care provider:

• persons with a severe allergic reaction to chickens or egg protein
• people with a fever or illness that is more than "just a cold"
• anyone who has exhibited a moderate to severe reaction after a previous influenza shot
• women who are or might be pregnant
• anyone who has ever been paralyzed due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome

POST-IMMUNIZATION SYMPTOMS AND CARE
Watch for and be familiar with how to treat minor side effects such as injection site tenderness or low grade fever.

CALL THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:

• uncertain if the influenza vaccine should be delayed, withheld, or given to a specific person.
• moderate or serious adverse effects appear after the influenza injection has been given.
• or there are any questions or concerns related to the influenza immunization.

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