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2007 FLU INFORMATION PAGE
INFLUENZA VACCINE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. Why get
vaccinated?
Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease. It is
caused by the influenza virus, which spreads from infected persons to
the nose or throat of others. Other illnesses can have the same
symptoms and are often mistaken for influenza. But only an illness
caused by the influenza virus is really influenza. Anyone can get
influenza, but rates of infection are highest among children. For most
people, it lasts only a few days. It can cause:· fever,· sore throat,·
chills,· fatigue,· cough,· headache,· and muscle aches.
Some people get
much sicker. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and can be dangerous for
people with heart or breathing conditions. It can cause high fever and
seizures in children. On average, 226,000 people are hospitalized every
year because of influenza and 36,000 die mostly elderly.
Influenza vaccine
can prevent influenza.
2. Inactivated
influenza vaccine.
There are two types of influenza vaccine:
An inactivated
(killed) vaccine, given as a shot, is given by injection into the
muscle.
Live, attenuated
(weakened) influenza vaccine, called LAIV, is sprayed into the nostrils.
This vaccine is described in the CDC Vaccine Information Statement for
live influenza vaccine.
For most people
influenza vaccine prevents serious influenza-related illness. But it
will not prevent influenza-like illnesses caused by other viruses.
Influenza viruses are always changing. Because of this, influenza
vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is
recommended. Protection lasts up to a year.
It takes up to 2
weeks for protection to develop after the vaccination.
Some inactivated
influenza vaccine contains thimerosal, a preservative that contains
mercury. Some people believe thimerosal may be related to developmental
problems in children. In 2004 the Institute of Medicine published a
report concluding that, based on scientific studies, there is no
evidence of such a relationship. If you are concerned about thimerosal,
ask your doctor about thimerosal-free influenza vaccine.
3. Who should
get inactivated influenza vaccine?
People 6 months of age and older can receive inactivated
influenza vaccine. It is recommended for anyone who is at risk of
complications from influenza or more likely to require medical care:
All children from 6
months up to 5 years of age.
Anyone 50 years of age
or older.
Anyone 6 months to 18
years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (they could develop Reye
Syndrome if they got influenza).
Women who will be
pregnant during influenza season.
Anyone with long-term health
problems with:
- heart disease -
kidney disease
- lung disease -
metabolic disease, such as diabetes
- asthma - anemia,
and other blood disorders
Anyone with a weakened
immune system due to:
- H.I.V. AIDS or
other diseases affecting the immune system
- long-term treatment
with drugs such as steroids
- cancer treatment
with x-rays or drugs
Anyone with
certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or severe
cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems.
Residents of
nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities. Influenza vaccine
is also recommended for anyone who lives with or cares for people at
high risk for influenza-related complications:
Health care providers.
Household contacts and
caregivers of children from birth up to 5 years of age.
Household contacts and
caregivers of people 50 years and older, and those with medical
conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from
influenza.
A yearly influenza vaccination should be
considered for:
People who provide essential
community services.
People living in dormitories
or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks.
People at high risk of
influenza complications who travel to the Southern hemisphere between
April and September, or to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at
any time.
nfluenza vaccine is also recommended for
anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza
or spreading influenza to others.
4. When
should I get influenza vaccine?
Plan to get influenza vaccine in
October or November if you can. But getting vaccinated in December, or
even later, will still be beneficial in most years. You can get the
vaccine as soon as it is available, and for as long as illness is
occurring. Influenza illness can occur any time from November through
May. Most cases usually occur in January or February.
Most people need one dose of
influenza vaccine each year. Children younger than 9 years of age
getting influenza vaccine for the first time should get 2 doses. For
inactivated vaccine, these doses should be given at least 4 weeks apart.
Influenza vaccine may be given at
the same time as other vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccine.
5. Some
people should talk with a doctor before getting influenza vaccine.
Some people should not get inactivated
influenza vaccine or should wait before getting it.
Tell your doctor if you have any
severe (life-threatening) allergies. Allergic reactions to influenza
vaccine are rare.
- Influenza vaccine virus is
grown in eggs. People with a severe egg allergy should not get the
vaccine.
- A severe allergy to any
vaccine component is also a reason to not get the vaccine.
- If you have had a severe
reaction after a previous dose of influenza vaccine, tell your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you ever had
Guillain-Barrι Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called G.B.S.).
You may be able to get the vaccine, but your doctor should help you make
the decision.
People who are moderately or severely
ill should usually wait until they recover before getting flu vaccine.
If you are ill, talk to your doctor or nurse about whether to reschedule
the vaccination. People with a mild illness can usually get the
vaccine.
6. What are the
risks from inactivated influenza vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medicine, could
possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The
risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
Serious problems from influenza vaccine
are very rare. The viruses in inactivated influenza vaccine have been
killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine.
Mild problems:
soreness, redness, or swelling where
the shot was given
fever
aches
If these problems occur, they usually
begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.
Severe problems:
Life-threatening allergic reactions
from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a
few minutes to a few hours after the shot.
In 1976, a certain type of influenza
(swine flu) vaccine was associated with Guillain-Barrι Syndrome (G.B.S.).
Since then, flu vaccines have not been clearly linked to GBS. However,
if there is a risk of G.B.S. from current flu vaccines, it would be no
more than 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated. This is much
lower than the risk of severe influenza, which can be prevented by
vaccination.
7. What if
there is a severe reaction?
What should I look for?
Any unusual condition, such as a high
fever or behavior changes. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can
include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness,
weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.
What should I do?
Call a doctor, or get the person to a
doctor right away.
Tell your doctor what happened, the
date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or health
department to report the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event
Reporting System (VAERS) form.
Or you can file this report through
the VAERS web site at www. vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
VAERS does not provide medical
advice.
8. The National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
In the event that you or your child has
a serious reaction to a vaccine, a federal program has been created to
help pay for the care of those who have been harmed.
For details about the National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program, call 1-800-338-2382 or visit their website
at
www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation
9. How can I
learn more?
Ask your immunization provider.
They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of
information.
Call your local or state health
department.
Contact the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (C.D.C.):
- Call
1-800-232-4636 (1-800-C.D.C.-I.N.F.O.)
This information is from the CDC Vaccine Information
Statement for Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (7/16/07) U.S.C. 42 section
300 a.a. 26 Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
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