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Bird flu: Expert calls for work to start on vaccine with risk to humans 'increasing' Sky News
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Bird flu: Expert calls for work to start on vaccine with risk to humans 'increasing' - Sky News
U.S. to Test First-Ever Bird Flu Vaccine on Poultry to Counter Historic ... NewsBreak Original
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U.S. to Test First-Ever Bird Flu Vaccine on Poultry to Counter Historic ... - NewsBreak Original
How do you make a universal flu vaccine? A microbiologist explains the challenges, and how mRNA could offer a promising solution The Conversation
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Will COVID-19 Need an Annual Vaccine Like the Flu? DISCOVER Magazine
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Will COVID-19 Need an Annual Vaccine Like the Flu? - DISCOVER Magazine
What are the different types of flu vaccines?
Flu vaccines are routinely available for seasonal influenza. Pandemic vaccines may also be developed for specific strains of the flu virus that cause widespread disease, such as occurred with the H1N1 virus in 2009.
Each year, composition of the influenza viruses changes, making the vaccine used in previous years ineffective. Each year, a new vaccine must be prepared that will be effective against the types of influenza virus that are expected to circulate in the upcoming influenza season. These are known as seasonal flu vaccines. The reason for the differences in circulating strains of the flu virus is that the virus can mutate (or change its structure) rapidly, leading to new subtypes of the virus. The key is to be able to predict which influenza viruses are going to cause infection and to prepare a vaccine against those viruses. Usually, scientists can predict accurately which types of influenza virus will cause infections and prepare an appropriate vaccine. Typically, the viruses used to prepare flu vaccine are grown in eggs, but a newer, egg-free version of the vaccine has been developed. In 2017, updated guidelines from the Influenza Vaccine and Egg Allergy Practice Parameter Workgroup commissioned by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters (JTFPP) stated that the risk is so small that even asking patients about egg allergy is no longer necessary. Health care professionals can now safely administer flu vaccines to people who are allergic to eggs. Flu viruses may also be made using recombinant technology that does not involve growing the actual flu virus in eggs.
The vaccine is generally effective against the influenza virus within two weeks of administration. The vaccine is only effective against the strains of the virus that match the vaccine. These strains vary from flu season to flu season each year. This is the reason that revaccination is required annually with the vaccine that matches the strains of influenza that are currently prevalent.
Flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, meaning that it contains killed influenza virus, or a recombinant vaccine, meaning that it was made without using virus particles at all. Health care providers inject the vaccine into muscles or skin, stimulating the immune system to produce an immune response (antibodies) to the influenza virus.
Medical professionals administer the "flu shot" vaccine as a single dose of liquid injected through the skin into muscle (intramuscular or IM). Typically, health care professionals inject the flu vaccine into the deltoid muscle at the side of the arm, using alcohol rubbed over the skin for sterilization. Health care professionals administer the vaccine annually, each fall. Side effects of the flu vaccine are uncommon.
Two types of vaccines are available: a trivalent vaccine that targets three strains of flu virus, as well as a quadrivalent vaccine that targets four strains. Both the trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines are available as an intramuscular injection. Special vaccines preparations are available for people over 65 years of age that produce a stronger immune response.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of injectable influenza vaccines (either trivalent or quadrivalent, including inactivated influenza vaccines and recombinant influenza vaccines) or the nasal spray vaccine for the influenza season of 2019-20.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine (sometimes called LAIV for live attenuated influenza vaccine, brand name FluMist) was first licensed in 2003. It is directed against the same strains of virus as the flu shot but differs in that it contains weakened live influenza viruses instead of killed viruses and is administered by nasal spray instead of injection. The vaccine is termed an attenuated vaccine because the vaccine viruses are weakened so that they themselves do not cause severe flu symptoms. The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals 2-49 years old. It should not be used for people with certain underlying medical conditions. All LAIV are quadrivalent (four-component).
The live viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened so that they do not cause severe symptoms. However, mild symptoms can occur as a side effect of the vaccination. Side effects of the nasal-spray flu vaccine can includedrunny nose, headache, sore throat, and cough. Children who receive the vaccine may also develop mild fever and muscle aches.
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Flu Vaccine Side Effects, Effectiveness, When to Get It, Ingredients ...
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by influenza viruses. Influenza viruses infect the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs) in humans. The flu is different from a cold, mainly because the symptoms and complications are more severe. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms: fever, headache, malaise (a feeling of being ill and without energy that can be extreme), cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. A lot of the illness and death caused by the flu can be prevented by a yearly flu vaccine. People in high-risk groups and people who are in close contact with those at high risk should get a flu vaccine every year as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). A flu vaccine can be given to anyone who wants to avoid the flu (persons over 6 months of age). Persons who provide important community services (such as police, fire department personnel, emergency medical services) should consider getting a flu vaccine so that those services are not disrupted during a flu outbreak.
03/23/2018
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If you read the ingredient list of your average flu vaccine, you may notice words like formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, and thimerosal.
Some of these ingredients, such as thimerosal, have made news in recent years because of concerns that they may pose health risks.
During the last half-century, millions of people have gotten the flu shot. Very few people have had any serious problems. Research overwhelmingly shows that the flu vaccine and the chemicals it contains are safe.
Heres a rundown of the typical ingredients youll find in a flu vaccine, and the real story behind those possible risks.
When you get a flu vaccine, you have two options:
Here are some ingredients youll find in the flu shot:
Many flu vaccines are made by growing the viruses inside fertilized chicken eggs. This means that they contain a small amount of egg protein.
A newer version of the vaccine, called Flucelvax, is grown in animal cells instead.
Vaccine manufacturers add the preservative thimerosal to multidose vaccine vials. Thimerosal helps prevent and kill dangerous bacteria and fungi in the vial.
Thimerosal contains mercury, which can be toxic in large doses. There isnt enough evidence to show the small amount contained in the flu vaccine is dangerous. But if youre concerned, thimerosal-free versions of the flu vaccine are available.
Sucrose, sorbitol, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are used to keep vaccines stable. They prevent vaccines from losing potency, even when exposed to heat and light.
Sucrose is the same table sugar you spoon into your coffee. Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener thats also found in chewing gum.
MSG is a flavor enhancer. Commonly thought of as an additive in Chinese food, its used in many processed foods. Though certain people are sensitive to MSG, the amount found in the flu vaccine is very small.
Neomycin, gentamicin, and other antibiotics are added to vaccines in very small amounts. They stop bacteria from contaminating the vaccine.
This emulsifier prevents sauces and salad dressings from separating. In vaccines, polysorbate 80 keeps all the ingredients evenly distributed.
Though large doses can cause some people to have reactions, the amount in the flu vaccine is very small.
This natural compound is found in household products from glues and other adhesives to pressed-wood furniture. Formaldehyde is a gas thats soluble in water. Its used in the flu vaccine to inactivate influenza virus.
Routine exposure to large doses of formaldehyde is linked to eye and throat irritation, breathing trouble, and a higher risk for certain cancers.
However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most formaldehyde used in producing a vaccine undergoes removal from the vaccine solution before being packaged and sent to doctors and pharmacies.
Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the level of formaldehyde that remains in a vaccine (such as the flu vaccine) is much lower than the amount that occurs naturally in the human body.
The residual amount of formaldehyde used in vaccines does not pose a safety concern, and there is no evidence linking cancer to infrequent exposure to tiny amounts of formaldehyde via injection as occurs with vaccines.
Most side effects from the flu vaccine are mild. People have reported symptoms like:
Call your doctor or go to an emergency room right away if you have any of these more serious side effects, which may indicate an allergic reaction:
A yearly flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent the flu and its complications.
Although vaccine effectiveness can vary from year to year, in general the vaccine can reduce doctors visits and illness. During the 20162017 flu season, the flu shot prevented 2.6 million doctors visits and 5.6 million illnesses.
The flu vaccine will lower your likelihood of getting sick. And if you do catch the flu, its likely to be milder than if you werent vaccinated.
The vaccine also prevents serious flu-related complications like:
Thats why its especially important for young children, older adults, and anyone with chronic health conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and diabetes to get vaccinated.
The flu vaccine is very effective, but it isnt right for everyone.
Dont get the vaccine if youve had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient it contains, including egg protein.
You also should avoid the flu vaccine if youve had Guillain-Barr syndrome. In 1976, a swine flu vaccine was linked to an increased risk for Guillain-Barr, which causes the immune system to attack and damage the protective coating around nerve cells.
Guillain-Barr syndrome causes extreme weakness and tingling in the limbs, known as severe peripheral neuropathy. It can be life-threatening in rare cases.
Theres no clear link between the current flu vaccine and Guillain-Barr. If any risk exists, its very small, affecting about 1 out of every 1 million people vaccinated.
The vaccine also isnt recommended for babies under 6 months old because it hasnt been proven safe in infants.
Talk to your doctor if you have a weakened immune system, or if you take medicine to suppress your immune system. You may not respond as well to the vaccine.
If youre sick, you might want to put off the flu shot until you feel better.
Its always a good idea to talk with your doctor, especially if you havent gotten the flu vaccine before or if your health has changed. If you have an allergy or other condition that might make the vaccine risky for you, check with your doctor before getting vaccinated.
Here are a few questions to ask your doctor:
The flu vaccine is considered safe. You cant catch the flu from the vaccine, because the virus in the vaccine has been killed or weakened.
The live vaccine isnt recommended for people with weaker immune systems.
Getting the flu vaccine is one of the best ways to avoid the flu this season. Also try these other steps to protect yourself against the flu virus:
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Flu Shot Ingredients: Whats in It and Is It Safe? - Healthline
