Category: Flu Vaccine

A flu shot is a vaccine for preventing influenza. Influenza, or the flu, is a seasonal virus that affects the respiratory system. Vaccination is important for people at risk of severe illness from the flu.

Flu shots can have some mild side effects, such as pain and bruising at the injection site. However, getting the flu vaccine every year is the best option to prevent flu from spreading and causing severe illness.

In this article, we discuss the benefits and risks of flu shots.

Flu shots are very safe.

Over the past 50 years, several hundred million people in the United States have safely received flu vaccines. Severe reactions to flu shots are extremely rare. For every million flu shots, severe reactions occur in about 0.2 cases.

Before approving a flu shot for public use, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully evaluate its safety and effectiveness.

The FDA also ensure that all vaccines contain substances that comply with their strict Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA continuously monitor the safety of flu shots. They use the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System platform to identify and examine any adverse reactions to flu shots.

The flu can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and death in high risk individuals. High risk groups include:

Flu vaccinations are vital for anyone at risk of severe complications. Other benefits of flu shots include:

The CDC estimate that flu vaccinations between 2017 and 2018 prevented:

Flu shots also allow the development of community immunity. If enough people get the vaccine, the flu is unable to spread rapidly through communities. As a result, people in high risk groups are less likely to get the flu.

Flu shots are, therefore, important for protecting others from severe illnesses.

Some possible downsides to flu shots include:

A common worry is that the flu shot can cause a person to get the flu. However, as the vaccine contains either the inactivated virus or only part of the virus, this is not possible.

Younger children are at a higher risk of severe illness from the flu. According to a study in Pediatrics, flu shots significantly reduce the risk of death from the flu in those between the ages of 5 and 12 years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all children over 6 months of age should receive a flu shot. Most flu-related deaths occur in children without vaccinations.

A downside is that the shot might cause discomfort in very young children. For example, there might be some pain and swelling at the injection site.

Less commonly, fever and aches might occur in children receiving their first flu vaccine.

To protect children, the people around them should also receive flu shots.

The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend that women get a flu shot during pregnancy.

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe illnesses from the flu. For pregnant women, a flu shot can:

The flu shot might still cause some minor side effects, such as nausea and swelling.

There are several strains of the flu, which change every season.

Doctors must try to predict the most common strains of flu each season. They then decide what type of vaccine to use in the flu shot.

All flu shots this year are quadrivalent. These vaccines protect against four strains of the virus.

Children receiving their first flu shot between the ages of 6 months and 8 years should receive a second flu shot 4 weeks afterward.

The table below lists the different types of flu vaccines that are currently available.

The flu is a widespread, seasonal virus. In some people, the flu can lead to severe illness and even death.

The flu shot is a safe way of preventing the flu. The risks of getting a flu shot are small, and any side effects are usually mild. Flu shots are important for protecting vulnerable groups, such as older adults and young children, from severe illnesses.

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Flu shots pros and cons: Benefits, risks, and safety - Medical News Today

By: Kris Bryant, MD, FAAP

Many people don't realize how serious influenza (flu) illness can be, even for previously healthy kids and teens. (See "Why Flu Vaccination Is at the Top of My Family's Back-to-School List," below.) Children also play a role in spreading the flu in their homes and communities. As a parent, the best thing you can do to protect your children and others from the flu is to get them vaccinated.

Influenza viruses change yearly. All children age 6 months and older need a flu shot every year.

All children age 6 months and older should get their influenza vaccine when the shots become available, especially children who will need two shots this season. That way they will be protected before flu starts circulating in your community. It takes about two weeks after the shot to build immunity.

There are two types of influenza vaccines available. The first is what many people call the "flu shot." The second comes as a nasal spray.

All the vaccines available for children this year protect against four different influenza viruses (two A and two B viruses). During flu season, multiple different flu viruses may circulate. Sometimes the viruses change during the flu season.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) want as many children as possible to get a flu vaccine every year. Both types of flu vaccine (flu shot or nasal spray) can be given according to their indications for this flu season. Any licensed influenza vaccine available this year and appropriate for a child's age and health status should be given, with no preference.

Yes. Each year, it is possible that flu, COVID-19, and other common viruses will spread at the same time. Last influenza season was longer than most. Sometimes, the vaccine is not an exact match with the strains in the community. But the vaccine still can protect against serious illness. Talk with your pediatrician about your child getting the flu vaccine along with other recommended immunizations. This includes getting a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, if they are eligible.

Children with COVID-19 should get a flu vaccine after they have recovered from their COVID-19 illness. Keep in mind that symptoms such as a stuffy and runny nose can make it hard to give the nasal spray vaccine.

A child who had an allergic reaction after a flu vaccine in the past should be seen by an allergist. The allergist can help parents decide if their child should receive their annual flu vaccination. A child with a known history of egg allergy can receive the flu vaccine.

By Jennifer Pool Miller

Our daughter, Caroline, was very active, physically fit and healthy. She swam several times a week and participated in weekly gymnastics lessons.

She had been vaccinated against the flu every year, except one. When she was 5 years old, influenza nearly stole her life. That year, the vaccine wasn't readily available prior to the beginning of school. Once the busy school year began, a flu shot fell off our radar.

As winter break approached, Caroline came home from school with the sniffles and a mild cough. She has mild asthma and occasionally uses a nebulizer. But as the evening progressed, Caroline's breathing became more labored than usual. We called her pediatrician, who advised us to alternate doses of her asthma medications and to keep in touch. But by 1 a.m. her condition had worsened. The pediatrician urged us to take Caroline to the hospital, just to be safe.

Caroline was diagnosed with influenza A and double pneumonia. Doctors placed her on oxygen and monitored her breathing. She was transferred by ambulance to another hospital with a dedicated pediatric unit, but she slipped into life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome and needed to be transported by helicopter to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

She faced a long and frightening list of complications: flu, pneumonia, severe sepsis, septic shock, hypoxemia and was at risk of cardiorespiratory failure. For the next two weeks, Caroline remained in a medication-induced coma, intubated, and on an oscillating ventilator at the pediatric intensive care unit.

Finally, on Christmas Day, Caroline's condition started to take a turn for the better. The recovery process was agonizing, with two steps forward and one step back. And after a long three weeks, she was able to go home.

We are fortunate that our daughter was able to fight her way back. Her experience has changed our entire family's lives forever. I now encourage families to consider the flu shot a back-to-school essential.

Jennifer Pool Miller serves as treasurer for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children and their families against flu through education and advocacy. A strong advocate for annual flu vaccination, joined Families Fighting Flu in 2013 after her daughter Caroline's frightening battle with the flu. Her family established the Caroline Miller Endowed Fund for Nursing Education and "Katie and Caroline P.I.C. YOU!" Award at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to support continuing education for nurses, in honor of the integral role the CHOP nursing staff played in Caroline's care and recovery.

Many pediatricians offer flu shot clinics, including curbside and drive-through clinics. The pediatrician's office has your child's health information. That makes it easy to keep track of the flu shot in your child's health record.

If they get a flu shot somewhere else, remember to share this information with the pediatrician so the vaccination is included in your child's health record.

Most people who get the flu are sick for at least a week. But some people get much sicker. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent influenza and the serious complications that can result from itespecially for those with high-risk conditions like asthma. For example, flu can lead to pneumonia. Kids with flu also can develop brain inflammation as well as febrile and non-febrile seizures. The flu vaccine keeps people out of the hospitalit stops serious illness and deaths from influenza.

Influenza causes thousands of deaths in the United States every year. About 33 to 199 children and teens die each year of flu80% of those children were not fully vaccinated. Even children who are otherwise healthy and have no other medical conditions can be hospitalized with flu and develop life-threatening complications.

There's no need to wait, even if your child received the previous year's flu vaccine in March or April. Children 6 months to 8 years of age should receive two doses if this is the first time they are being vaccinated against influenza, or if they have only received one dose of flu vaccine ever before July 1. The doses are given four weeks apart.

We have a vaccine for flu, unlike many other respiratory viruses that make kids sick. Let's protect our children from flu when we can.

Kris Bryant, MD, FAAP, is the system medical director for pediatric epidemiology and infectious diseases at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Ky., and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Louisville. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases.

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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Which Flu Vaccine Should Children Get? - HealthyChildren.org

Do I Need the Flu Vaccine & Other Questions  Stamford Health

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Do I Need the Flu Vaccine & Other Questions - Stamford Health

RI health officials urge COVID booster and flu vaccine ahead of winter  The Providence Journal

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RI health officials urge COVID booster and flu vaccine ahead of winter - The Providence Journal

Ask the Pediatrician: Why should children get the flu vaccine?  Greater Milwaukee Today | GMToday.com

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Ask the Pediatrician: Why should children get the flu vaccine? - Greater Milwaukee Today | GMToday.com

New campaign from The Vitamin Shoppe gives free healthy snacks to customers with proof of flu vaccine  Nutritional Outlook

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New campaign from The Vitamin Shoppe gives free healthy snacks to customers with proof of flu vaccine - Nutritional Outlook

In a Q&A, Deborah Molrine, MD, clinical program director, QIVc at CSL Seqirus, discussed the now available FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT vaccine in children, along with general information on influenza and vaccine types.

Q: How does influenza affect children aged 6 months to 5 years compared to older patients?

A: Children under the age of 5 years represent one of the high-risk groups for flu-related complications. Although flu seasons vary in severity, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year thousands of young children are hospitalized for flu, and although relatively rare, some children die from influenza each year. Importantly, about 80% of reported flu-related deaths occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated. Although influenza is often a self-limited illness, influenza-related complications observed in young children include otitis media, respiratory tract diseases such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, myositis, myocarditis, and central nervous events such as seizures, meningitis, or encephalitis.

Q: What makes cell-based vaccines advantageous to other vaccines?

A: Influenza viruses may undergo changes when they are grown in eggs for vaccine production; such egg adaptation may result in the vaccine strains being less well-matched to virus strains circulating during the influenza season. Influenza viruses grown in a mammalian cell culture system avoid egg adaptation, providing a closer match to wild-type viruses. In seasons where egg adaptation occurs, studies suggest cell-based influenza vaccines have the potential to be more effective than traditional, egg-based influenza vaccines. There are also data that suggest if the first exposure of a child to influenza is from an egg-adapted vaccine, antibody responses are often elicited to epitopes that are not present on wild-type viruses. Even with future vaccinations, the immune response is directed to the initial egg-adapted epitopes, and such immune priming may result in less protective responses in subsequent influenza seasons.

Q: Where will the CSL Seqirus influenza vaccine go from here?

A: FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT is now available for all eligible persons 6 months of age and older. With this expanded age indication, we can better protect all eligible persons from the flu and flu-related illness with this influenza vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during the 2019/20 US influenza season, an estimated 46,000 influenza-related hospitalizations occurred in children under 18 years of age and there were 199 deaths reported in children with laboratory-confirmed flu infection.1 We will continue to invest in both our adjuvant and cell-based technologies to provide effective protection against influenza for as long as demand exists.

Q: What do you consider to be the most important piece of data from this trial?

A: The most important piece of data from this trial confirms for the first time that a cell-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (QIVc) is safe and well-tolerated in the youngest pediatric population for whom immunization is recommended. The vaccine elicited antibody responses that were of similar magnitude to those produced by a previously licensed vaccine for this age group and thus expected to be effective.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add?

A: As the flu season is upon us, vaccination is the best intervention to protect all persons starting at 6 months of age from getting sick with the flu. The burden of illness is especially high in young children. Its important to speak with your childs healthcare provider and schedule an appointment to get vaccinated. FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT is now approved for all eligible people 6 months and older.

Reference

1. Estimated flu-related illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States 20192020 flu season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated October 7, 2022. Accessed October 18, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2019-2020.html#:~:text=The%20overall%20burden%20of%20influenza,related%20deaths%20(Table%201).

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Effectiveness of cell-based vaccines against influenza - Contemporary Pediatrics

COVID and Flu Vaccine Clinic for Cranford Residents Only Coming to Town  TAPinto.net

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COVID and Flu Vaccine Clinic for Cranford Residents Only Coming to Town - TAPinto.net

The call for taking the seasonal flu vaccine gains importance given the growing cases of seasonal influenza across the Sultanate of Oman, say practicing doctors.

Muscat: People in the Sultanate of Oman have been urged to get a jab of seasonal flu vaccine as the vaccine is safe.

The call for taking the seasonal flu vaccine gains importance given the growing cases of seasonal influenza across the Sultanate of Oman, according to the Ministry of Health and practicing doctors.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Dr. Zaid Al Hinai, a paediatric infectious diseases consultant at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), said: The spread of influenza cases is currently on the rise and we have started to monitor severe infections among children and adults. We have noticed cases among individuals who do not suffer from chronic diseases.

The seasonal influenza virus is similar to what we have seen in the past but I think the only difference is rising number of cases. But over the last two years it was the COVID-19 pandemic and not many were affected by seasonal flu. The herd immunity decreases if the virus is receding. So the infections this year are like infections for the first time, and the symptoms are stronger and more widespread.

He stressed the importance of vaccination against influenza and said that a seasonal flu vaccine is very important.

Dr. Al Hinai said: The vaccination is free at health centres for anyone with chronic diseases, obese, or aged over 50, and pregnant women as well. Vaccination is also available to everyone at private hospitals.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Dr. Fatma Hashim Abdullah Al Hashmi, Director of disease surveillance and control, Directorate general of health services North Batinah Governorate, said: We have noticed a rise in the cases of seasonal influenza in the Governorate of North Al Batinah. The rise in cases is not just confined to the governorate of North Al Batinah, but to all the governorates. Cases of seasonal influenza began in early September this year, and the main reason was community members mingled freely.

Dr. Fatma Al Hashmi added: The academic year began from September and as we know that children, especially in schools, play with each other and share a lot of things. They are more susceptible to infection. The transmission of the virus is fast as the children carry the virus to their homes.

She also indicated that the number of seasonal influenza cases is similar to what was noticed in 2018 and 2019.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the numbers were mixed as both seasonal influenza and COVID-19 patients experienced similar symptoms.

The doctor further said that people took precautions during the pandemic by wearing masks among other measures that helped in the control of the spread of seasonal influenza virus.

The doctor admitted that there is a reluctance among people to take the seasonal influenza vaccine.

The reason could be attributed to the lack of awareness of the benefits of taking vaccines in the society, she added.Do not heed rumours

She urged people not to heed rumours and stressed the importance of spreading awareness among family members and society on the need for vaccines.

Dr. Asim Al Manji, Head of surveillance section, Department of Disease Surveillance and Control in Muscat region, said:

There are several reasons for the growing cases of seasonal flu. The virus evolves every year and thats why we recommend a seasonal flu vaccine to curb the spread and help patients recover soon.

On the alleged reports that seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines weaken the immunity in the body, the doctor said: One should pay heed to such reports only if they are based on a globally recognised study or published in scientific journals.

People shouldnt go by personal conclusions or interpretations based on flimsy and baseless evidence. The rumours do no good to patients nor to society. Lets stop the spread of fake messages and rumours as it may cause the loss of lives.

Dr. Fatma Al Hashmi confirmed that the seasonal flu vaccine is currently available in government hospitals for certain groups, including the elderly (over 50 years), who suffer from chronic diseases or breathing problems, as well as pregnant women.

Those outside these groups can visit private health centres and receive vaccines to protect themselves, their families and loved ones from infection, he said.

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People in Oman urged to take a flu vaccine - Times of Oman

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging Canadians to get theirinfluenzaand COVID-19 vaccines soon to avoid the need for additional health measures this winter.

Speaking at an announcement in Kanata, Ont.onMonday, Trudeau encouraged Canadians to ensure theyreceivethe full complement of COVID-19and seasonalflu vaccines.

"If we are able to get a high enough of level of vaccination, we reduce the danger of having to take other health measures tomake sure that we're all safe and not overloading our hospitals," Trudeausaid.

His remarks cameas health officials expressconcerns over recentupward trends in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr.Kieran Mooresaid last week thathe'll recommend the return of mask mandates ifthe province'shealth care system becomes too strained.

In much of the country, emergency rooms are hoveringabove full capacity.

The shareof the population that hasreceived the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine one or two doses, depending on the producthas levelled out at around 80 per cent since February. About 49 per cent of Canadianshave received the primary series and one additional booster.

Ontario opened appointments Monday for everyone aged 12 and over to receive Omicron-targeted vaccine doses. Earlier this month, HealthCanada approved anupdated Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty vaccinethat targets the most common variants of the virus currently inthe country.

"There are new formulations that cover both Omicron and the original strain of COVID," Trudeau said. "We encourage everyone to get those vaccinations to keep pressure off of our hospitals, off our frontline heroes who are working so hard to keep people safe, but also tokeep pressureoff of our economy and our communities."

In a statement released earlier this month, the National Advisory Committee on Immunizationissued arecommendation that everyone aged 12 and older be offered a fall COVID-19 booster dose, regardless of the number of booster doses previously received.

The committee also said its "preferred" product for booster doses is a bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

With cold weather approaching, relatively lowflu circulationover the last two years puts children at a greater risk than usual of catching the illness,infectious disease experts have told CBC.

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Trudeau urges Canadians to get their COVID, flu shots to avoid other health measures - CBC News