Category: Flu Vaccine

INDIANAPOLIS The Indiana Department of Health announced the first two flu-related deaths of the 2023-24 season Thursday and issued a statement urging Hoosiers to get vaccinated.

No information about those who died was released due to privacy laws, the department said.

According to the IDOH, more than 270 Indiana residents died after contracting the flu during the 2022-23 flu season, which typically runs from October through May.

While no two flu seasons are exactly alike, we always recommend getting an annual flu shot as soon as possible to provide the best protection against becoming seriously ill," Indiana State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver said in a statement.

The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year.

More information on the flu vaccine, tips to prevent the spread of flu and symptoms to watch out for can be found on the state health department's website.

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IDOH announces first 2 flu deaths in the state this season, urges Hoosiers to get vaccinated - WTHR

Influenza can be serious for the elderly. Factors that increase their risk can include immunosenescence, nutritional deficiency, general frailty, and living in congregate care settings.Flu has higher mortality in people over 75, and outbreaks in care homes increase hospitalization rates and deaths among elderly residents, especially for those with pre-existing conditions.

A recent review published in Vaccine examined the barriers and enablers of getting care home staff their flu shots to protect patients.1

During the 2019/20 influenza season, Public Health England (PHE) reported 3,936 acute respiratory infections outbreaks with 69.9 % of them occurring in CH, the authors wrote.

Care home staff play a role in transmission to elderly residents by bringing flu in from their communities, especially in winter. Staff may come to work sick for financial reasons, which increases risks to elderly residents. Vaccination can combat this risk, but not all care workers get flu shots.

Researchers from the United Kingdom conducted a review of literature from AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, IBSS, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and SCOPUS to discover what helps and what hinders CH staff from getting flu vaccinations. They collected 42 studies to find out what makes healthcare and social workers decide to vaccinate. Researchers explored 5 domains in the review: beliefs about consequences, knowledge, environmental context and resources, emotions, and social influences.

While many care home staff get their shots, there are several reasons some do not vaccinate. In the beliefs about consequences and knowledge domains, some staff do not understand or have misconceptions about the vaccines effectiveness, side effects, and safety. Workers felt the vaccine wasnt necessary, were not worried about catching influenza, and thought influenza wasnt serious.

Previous experience with influenza vaccination side effects and the belief that the influenza vaccine lacks value, usefulness, or benefits for oneself or others are also significant barriers that prevent CH staff from accepting the influenza vaccine, the authors wrote.

Thoughts from these domains that enabled care home staff to vaccinate included understanding the seriousness of the flu, how the vaccine works, and not wanting to transmit it to others.

For the environmental consequences and resources domain, barriers included an inability to fund free shots at the location for workers at a convenient time, and for workers inability to pay for vaccination on their own if shots were not offered at work. Researchers said supply shortages and worker refusal due to pre-existing conditions, such as allergies, also hindered uptake. In addition, high worker turnover in care homes makes it difficult to determine who has been vaccinated and who hasnt.

Researchers noted that when care homes hold free vaccination clinics on-site, it enables higher uptake of influenza shots. Enablers to influenza vaccine uptake include accessibility of the influenza vaccine, availability of the influenza vaccine at a suitable and flexible time, and adequate provision of the influenza vaccine, the authors wrote.

For the domains of emotions and social influences, researchers said worries about the shots effects or catching influenza from the shot prevented vaccine uptake. Fear of needles was listed as another concern. Some care home workers said they felt the employer didnt care about them, and that acted as a barrier. Mandates were also listed as a barrier, as staff perceived them as a loss of autonomy.

Researchers found that doctor recommendations increased uptake rates, in addition to encouragement from colleagues and family members. Care home workers who felt supported were also more likely to get vaccinated. Recognition that getting the vaccine was an obligation of staffs social and professional role toward residents, workplace, and others is seen as an important factor, the authors said.

The review findings highlight that it is essential to understand the complexities of vaccine choices and create strategies that address the 5 different domains, the authors concluded.

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Remove Barriers to Encourage Influenza Vaccination of Care Home ... - Drug Topics

A recent poll indicates 40 per cent of Canadians don't plan on getting an updated COVID-19 or flu shot this year. (Photo via Getty Images) (mixetto via Getty Images)

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

A large number of Canadians are choosing to forego extra precautions against COVID-19 and influenza this season.

That's according to a recent Ipsos poll conducted for Global News, which indicates 40 per cent of people across the country do not plan on getting a COVID-19 booster shot or flu vaccine this year.

It's something the head of clinical microbiology at Saskatoon's Royal University Hospital says is "unfortunate."

"The reason that saddens me is because we just came through this horrible COVID pandemic and we saw all the devastation that it had," Dr. Joseph Blondeau tells Yahoo Canada. "Plus, we saw all the restrictions that were put in place that really restricted a lot of our life choices.

"I think people are just, unfortunately, underestimating what could be the consequences of this respiratory season ... and what the benefits of vaccination actually are."

The poll, which was released on Wednesday and surveyed 1,000 Canadians older than age 18, found 45 per cent of that group did not feel it was worth getting one. Twenty-three per cent of people within that group expressed concerns about the shot's safety; seven per cent were fully against the COVID-19 vaccine.

Out of the respondents, 60 per cent say they've already received a COVID-19 booster shot or plan on getting one and that's the same for flu shots.

The survey's results indicated a shift in attitude, according to an infectious disease specialist at the University of British Columbia's department of medicine.

"Today, I don't think that the general population is seeing COVID as a big threat as it used to be in 2020," Dr. Horatio Bach tells Yahoo Canada. "This impression, people think 'it's just a flu.'"

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Still, Bach says "we have to monitor what's going to happen," as it's currently "very hard to say 'yes' or 'it's not' going to be a problem."

Updated COVID-19 vaccines from both Moderna and Pfizer were approved by Health Canada in September. Novavax's updated shot was approved for use in the European Union on Tuesday, but Health Canada is still reviewing the vaccine.

The new mRNA vaccines which target the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant started becoming available across Canada in October, along with flu vaccines.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends the updated COVID-19 shots to anyone who has either had a COVID-19 infection or a vaccination at least six months ago. That applies to anyone over 6 months old.

Flu shots are recommend to nearly everyone older than 6 months of age. That includes people who are at high risk of complications, such as pregnant people, anyone with chronic health conditions and older adults above the age of 65. For the latter group, the PHAC recommends a high-dose flu vaccine.

"People need to know that a vaccine is an intervention for prevention of disease," Blondeau says, adding there must be better messaging about these viruses. "In other words, it's an intervention that if you're immunized, [it] reduces the likelihood that should you come in contact with that particular infection ... that you would become infected to any serious degree."

Blondeau adds while viruses like COVID-19 may still be top of mind for lots of people, influenza is still a concern.

"I think influenza may have been relegated to the poor second cousin to COVID," he says. "But the reality is, influenza also can be quite deadly in people across all age groups."

In response to following the news about COVID-19, four in 10 people polled say they're no longer concerned about the virus. That's more common among people between the ages of 18 and 34, where 52 per cent agreed compared to 30 per cent of respondents older than age 55.

In the 18 to 34 age group, 60 per cent of people agreed they have stopped following news regarding COVID-19 and government recommendations. Among respondents older than age 55, only 40 per cent agreed.

"Younger people, the way they are if they're sick with COVID, it's not the same way if you are over 50 or if you are immunocompromised or if you have any underlying diseases because these people are still at risk," Bach notes.

On the other hand, 31 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 were more likely to have said they already received the COVID-19 booster. That's compared to 18 per cent in the 35 to 54 age group, and 19 per cent among people older than age 55.

"My big concern out of all of this is that we become complacent because people feel this virus is no longer a threat," Blondeau says. "The reality is that it's still a threat.

"We still need this awareness, we still need this messaging and we still need to encourage people to get out and get vaccinated."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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Many Canadians don't plan on getting COVID booster, flu shots. Experts say that's 'unfortunate' - Yahoo Canada Shine On

As cold and flu season approaches, Augusta University is taking proactive steps to ensure the health and well-being of its employees, students and the community at large.

In a bid to encourage flu vaccination, the Immunology Center of Georgia, part of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, will host a flu vaccine clinic for Augusta University employees from 9-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in the Georgia Cancer Centers M. Bert Storey Research Building lobby.

The best part? No advanced sign-ups are required, making it easier than ever to get your flu shot. Employees who plan to attend the clinic should bring their employee ID and a copy of their insurance card.

Klaus Ley, MD, co-director of the Immunology Center of Georgia, emphasizes the significance of getting vaccinated against the flu.

The flu can have serious consequences, and by getting vaccinated, you protect yourself and those around you, Ley said. Its a simple yet effective way to prevent the spread of this contagious virus. Our Augusta University campus is setting the example, and we hope to encourage the entire community to get the flu vaccine.

READ MORE: Augusta University welcomes world-renowned researchers to Medical College of Georgia

The on-campus clinic offers an easily accessible opportunity for Augusta University employees to protect themselves and their colleagues from the flu this season, said Francis Toole, director of Augusta University Employee Health and Wellness.

We are committed to providing our employees with convenient and affordable access to flu vaccines, Toole said. Whether you choose to visit the clinic or our office, we are here to support your health and well-being.

In addition to the upcoming clinic, Employee Health and Wellness offers walk-in flu vaccines from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at its office on the first floor of Professional Building One, making it easier for employees to prioritize their health. Call the clinic at 706-721-3418 for more information.

Augusta Universitys Student Health Services offered flu vaccines throughout October, including mobile clinics to students living both on and off campus, said Harrison Lamp, nurse clinician with SHS.

Our team was proud to help 750 students receive their free flu vaccinations this fall, said Lamp. Students who want to get their flu shot can call 706-721-3448 or email our clinic, and well get them more information about how to access a vaccine. SHS encourages all our students to take this step to protect themselves and their classmates.

Flu vaccination is not only a responsible choice but also a crucial step in maintaining public health. The World Health Organization records about 1 billion cases of influenza each year. Severe cases often result in hospitalizations, contributing to up to 650,000 respiratory-related deaths globally.

Worried about potential side effects from the vaccine? Ley said thats a minor concern compared to the effects of full-blown flu.

READ MORE: Augusta Universitys Immunology Center of Georgia enlists national experts to foster growth through Scientific Advisory Board

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life-threatening allergic reactions to flu shots are very rare. While severe reactions are uncommon, it is important to let your health care provider know if you have a history of allergy or severe reaction to vaccines before getting a flu shot.

Common side effects from a flu shot could include soreness or swelling at the site of the injection, headache, low-grade fever, nausea, muscle aches or fatigue, he said. Those minor side effects are an indication your immune system is responding as it should to the vaccination. You will experience much more severe fever, aches and other symptoms if you catch the flu without being vaccinated against it.

The easy access to vaccines and the commitment of our student and employee health teams signify Augusta Universitys dedication to the well-being of our campus, Ley said. Lets all take this important step to protect our health and ensure a safer, healthier future for our community.

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'Protect yourself and those around you': Augusta University experts ... - Jagwire Augusta

Please select the date/link below to register for the Flu Clinic of your choice

Nov. 2nd Clinic 10:00-12:00 55 Hudson Rd. Musketahquid Common Rm.

Nov. 3rd Clinic 10:00-12:00 275 Old Lancaster Rd. Health Office

Nov. 7, 14, & 21 Tuesday Clinics 10:00-12:00 275 Old Lancaster Rd Health Office

Please arrive at your selected time, bring your ID and Insurance Card(s) and wear a short sleeved shirt. High Dose Vaccine is currently available for Seniors ages 65+.

Please contact the Health Department with any questions or concerns 978-440-5479 or Health@sudbury.ma.us

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Flu Vaccination Clinics Open To The Public Health Department - Town of Sudbury

NORFOLK, Va. Norfolk is hosting COVID-19 and flu clinics in preparation for flu season.

The Norfolk Department of Public Healthis hosting the clinics at its office on Southampton Avenue on November 4 and 18. Both clinics begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. Both vaccines are available to people three years old and up.

The Department of Public Health recommends making an appointment which can be made by calling (757) 683-2735. Limited walk-ins will be accepted.

The vaccinations will be billed to the individual's medical insurance, so bring insurance cards. If uninsured, the COVID-19 vaccine is fully covered by the Bridge Access Program. At the clinics, the flu vaccine fee will be waived for children and adults who are uninsured.

Those with children under three can make an appointment during business hours.

Getting vaccinated is a simple and effective way to prevent yourself and your loved ones from serious illness due to these viruses, said Dr. Susan Girois, MD, MPH, FACP, Health Director of Norfolk Department of Public Health.

The Norfolk Department of Health urges all residents to update their COVID-19 vaccination and receive their annual flu vaccination if they havent already done so.

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Norfolk hosting COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics - 13newsnow.com WVEC

SALISBURY TWP., Pa. This flu season should be a little quieter than last year's, according to a Lehigh Valley doctor.

No new strains or increases in activity are expected, but the physician said people still should get flu shots.

I think it's going to be a typical flu season, said Dr. Alex Benjamin, chief infection control and prevention Officer at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

We're not seeing things in the southern hemisphere like a new strain or any sort of increased activity, despite people getting flu shots. So I think the efficacy is there again, as it has been year after year for the flu vaccine.

Dr. Alex Benjamin, chief Infection Control and Prevention officer, LVHN

Benjamin said this year cases do not seem as severe as they were at this time in 2022 following repercussions from the coronavirus pandemic.

After last year, I think now, in a sense, we almost feel better because I think that sort of natural immunity has been restored to our area. And so I don't think we're gonna see as many cases as quickly as we did last year.

LVHN will hold two free drive-through flu vaccine clinics this weekend.

On Nov. 4, Saturday, people can drive through and get their shot at Dorney Park in South Whitehall Township, and on Sunday, Nov. 5 they can do that at LVHNs Hecktown Oaks location in Lower Nazareth Township.

Benjamin said now is the time to get the shot as the season ramps up.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website, Pennsylvania has minimal flu activity, but the state Health Department page shows a very mixed picture when it comes to cases.

It shows a decent amount of activity in the southwest part of the state, south of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Alex Benjamin, chief Infection Control and Prevention officer at Lehigh Valley Health Network

In the Lehigh Valley, we're sort of in the middle, meaning we're not the undetectable cases of flu," Benjamin said. "We are seeing those [cases] and we're sort of in the middle of somewhere between eight and 15 cases per 100,000.

He said people should try to space out their flu vaccine and COVID-19 shots if possible.

He said a study published by the FDA looked at patients who got the combination in 2022 and saw a higher risk of stroke among people 65 and older who got both shots at the same time.

We have to remember a couple different things about this year," he said.

"Last year was that bivalent shot. This year, we have a different updated shot that's a single strain coverage, so maybe that has something to do with it.

"Getting influenza, getting COVID infections, both of those also increase your risk of stroke.

Benjamin said people still should get vaccinated against both diseases, just spaced out if possible. In some cases, if a patient will not receive follow up care, a doctor may vaccinate for both in one day.

Those heading to the LVHN flu clinics this weekend can just show up, but they also can go online and fill out paperwork ahead of time to make those process go faster.

Free shots will be provided to everyone older than six months old, and those over the age of 65 can get the high-dose influenza shot.

LVHN also will collect canned goods for those in need during the clinics if people would like to make a donation.

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Flu shots offered at free drive through clinic this weekend - LehighValleyNews.com

Flu activity is low so far across the U.S. for the 2023-24 season. But its picking up in some parts of the country. And that low level is good news, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because theres still time to get a flu shot or a nasal spray vaccine before influenza circulates more broadly.

The CDC recommends vaccination for anyone 6 months or older.

While flu severity is unpredictable and hinges on a lot of factors, Gavi.org reports reason to be optimistic that this years flu season will not be quite as bad particularly if people take up the offer of seasonal flu vaccines.

Gavi, an international vaccine alliance, predicts this year will be nowhere near as harsh as last year, when reduced exposure to influenza viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the resurgence of other respiratory infections such as respiratory syncytial virus placed huge pressure on hospital beds in many countries.

Dr. Tom Peacock, an influenza researcher at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, told Gavi writer Linda Geddes that the season looks (to be) the most typical one since pre-pandemic.

As The Wall Street Journal explains, The flu season in the Southern Hemisphere, where the cold-weather illness period wraps up as we head into ours, often serves as a harbinger of whats to come for us. There, cases picked up a little earlier than usual in some countries but didnt result in an especially large number of hospitalizations and deaths, say public health experts and doctors.

The article notes, as well, that this years flu vaccine composition seems to match predominant strains of flu circulating so far.

The CDC surveillance page notes just under 1,500 people across the U.S. have been admitted to hospitals this week for influenza, a viral respiratory illness that can be mild or severe. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, fatigue and in some cases, gastrointestinal symptoms.

Complications can include ear and sinus infections, bacterial pneumonia and worsening of existing chronic medical conditions. In severe cases, flu can trigger heart, muscle or brain inflammation and organ failure. Those most at risk of serious symptoms are those who are younger than 5 or 65 and older, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions or who are immune-compromised.

Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that each year between 3,000 and 49,000 people die of complications, most of them 65 and older. The CDC says on average 36,000 people die each year and many, many more are hospitalized.

Colorado, Florida, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are currently showing moderate flu activity, while a number of states are beginning to report increasing but low levels of flu, according to the tracking map.

Because flu vaccines dont always entirely prevent influenza infection, the CDC is trying to rebrand and rightsize expectations for the seasonal flu vaccine with its Wild to Mild ad campaign, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

The campaign pictures wild animals and mild house pets, showing the impact of the vaccine on influenza as in, it could be wild, but with the shot, it could be more mild. Part of its emphasis, the CDC says, is reducing how serious flu symptoms are, not just preventing infections.

CDC has expanded its vaccine effectiveness work to include looking at how well flu vaccine works at preventing serious outcomes, like emergency department visits and hospitalizations, the agency says. This work has contributed to a strong and growing body of evidence that flu vaccination reduces the risk of serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

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When is flu season? How severe will the flu be this year? - Deseret News

The Town of Reading Health Department will hold a community flu clinic Thursday, Nov. 2. (Shutterstock)

READING, MA The Town of Reading Health Department will hold a community flu clinic Thursday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 4:45 p.m. at the Reading Public Library at 64 Middlesex Ave.

Vaccines will be available for all those 3 years and older.

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More information and a registration link is available here.

The clinic will have Fluzone and Fluzone 65 vaccines available.

The Massachusetts Department of Public recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine (IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4) with no preference expressed for any one vaccine over another.

For people 65 years and older, the department noted that three flu vaccines are preferentially recommended: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine, and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine.

More information is available via the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

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Town Of Reading To Hold Flu Vaccine Clinic This Week - Patch

CureVac N.V., the mRNA-focused biopharmaceutical company, in partnership with GSK, has reached significant milestones in their clinical vaccine development programs for COVID-19 and seasonal flu. The team has successfully completed Phase 2 enrollment for their COVID-19 vaccine trial and launched Phase 2 of their seasonal flu program.

Dr. Myriam Mendila, Chief Development Officer of CureVac, confirmed the advancement of these programs following successful Phase 1 and 2 studies. The COVID-19 program's Phase 2 study enrolled 427 participants to assess the safety and immunogenicity of two modified mRNA COVID-19 vaccines: CV0601 and CV0701.

CV0601 encodes the spike protein of the omicron BA.4-5 variant, while CV0701 encodes the spike proteins of both the omicron BA.4-5 variant and the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. These vaccines are being compared with an authorized bivalent COVID-19 comparator vaccine. Interim data from this study is due in early 2024.

In the joint seasonal flu program with GSK, CureVac has begun Phase 2 after selecting a promising multivalent candidate based on positive Phase 1 interim data announced on September 12, 2023. This candidate encodes antigens that align with all World Health Organization-recommended flu strains. The vaccine will be tested across different age groups and dosage levels against licensed seasonal flu comparator vaccines, with study results also anticipated in 2024.

CureVac's advancements come from over two decades of expertise in mRNA technology, developing, optimizing, and manufacturing this versatile biological molecule for medical applications. The company partnered with GSK in July 2020 to develop new prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases using CureVacs second-generation mRNA technology. This collaboration later expanded to include the development of second-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidates and modified mRNA vaccine technologies.

CureVac's financial health and performance indicators, as provided by InvestingPro, offer a deeper understanding of the company's current standing. Despite the potential promise of its clinical vaccine development programs, CureVac holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, indicating a strong financial position (InvestingPro Tip 0). However, it is quickly burning through cash, which may be a concern for investors (InvestingPro Tip 2). The stock price has also fallen significantly over the last three months (InvestingPro Tip 11), reflecting the company's volatile stock price movements (InvestingPro Tip 6).

InvestingPro data shows that CureVac's Market Cap stands at 1220M USD, and the company has a negative P/E Ratio of -3.48. The company's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2023 was 41.04M USD but has been declining at a rate of -67.32%. The company's gross profit for the same period was negative, standing at -95.96M USD, indicating weak gross profit margins (InvestingPro Tip 5).

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There are additional InvestingPro Tips available for those interested in a more detailed analysis of CureVac's financial performance and potential investment opportunities. These tips, along with the real-time data provided, can help investors make informed decisions about their investments in the biopharmaceutical sector.

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CureVac and GSK progress in COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccine ... - Investing.com