Inactivated 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.

For most people, it lasts only a few days. It can cause fever,sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache, muscle aches.

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.

In the Philippines, it occurs year round with peaks from July to October. Influenza occurs worldwide.

Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza.

2. Inactivated influenza vaccine.
An inactivated (killed) vaccine, given as a shot, is given by injection into the muscle.

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.

3. Who should get inactivated influenza vaccine?
• Anyone 50 years of age or older.

• Women who will be pregnant during influenza season.

• Anyone with long-term health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, diabetes, asthma, anemia, & 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.

• International travelers

• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

• Students or other persons in institutional settings.

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 high risk.

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. People at high risk of influenza who travel to the Northern hemisphere between November to May.

Influenza 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 from February to June each year in the Philippines. You can get the vaccine as soon as it is available, and for as long as illness is occurring. Influenza illness can occur year round with peaks from July to October.

5. Some people should talk with a doctor before getting influenza vaccine.
• Tell your doctor if you have any severe (life-threatening) allergies,a severe egg allergy, a severe allergy to any vaccine component,or if you had a severe reaction after a previous dose of influenza vaccine.

• Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called G.B.S.).
• People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting flu vaccine.

6. What are the risks from inactivated influenza vaccine?
The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
Mild problems:
• soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• fever
• aches
Severe problems:
• Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare.

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.

8. How can I learn more?
• Ask your immunization provider. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.

References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov (accessed February 2008) and Committee on Immunization, Philippine Society for Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (PSMID) & the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV). Handbook on Adult Immunization for Filipinos 2004.

© 2008 L.Y.F. Vaccination & Medical Services, Inc.
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