Mini Med Blog #12 – Flu vaccine FAQ
Q: Who Should get the vaccine?
A: Everyone over the age of 6 months.
But specifically, very high-risk patients:
• Children under 5 years old
• Adults older than 65
• Pregnant mothers
• Those suffering from respiratory illnesses (Asthma, Emphysema)
• Those suffering from heart disease
• Those who are Immunodeficient (Diabetes, Cancer, Kidney disorders, on certain medications)
Q: Who should NOT get the vaccine?
A: Those who have had previous life-threatening allergy to a flu vaccine. Children younger than 6 months of age.
Q: What is the risk of life-threatening allergic reaction to the Flu vaccine?
A: 1.3 patients per million vaccine doses.
Q: Are there any other severe side effects to the Flu shot?
A: No. Most people get redness, soreness, or swelling where the vaccine was given. Some, especially those who get the flu shot for the first time, have a headache, muscle aches, or tiredness.
Q: How does the flu vaccine work?
A: A dead strain of influenza virus is injected to trigger antibody production against the virus. The antibodies develop approximately 2 weeks after immunization.
Q: What’s in this year’s flu vaccine?
A: Influenza A strains (H1N1 and H3N2). Influenza B strains (Colorado and Phuket). This is knowns as the ‘quadrivalent’ vaccine. A high dose ‘trivalent’ vaccine is available for adults over 65 years of age that protects for all of the above strains minus the Phuket strain.
Q: When should you get vaccinated?
A: Now! Unfortunately, Ontario is grappling with distribution delays for the vaccine so you should expect longer than normal delays.
Q: Where can I get my vaccine?
A: Your local pharmacist (for patients 5 years and older). Ottawa Public Health Flu Clinics: https://cutt.ly/ieUb7tt. Our clinic will offer Flu Shot clinics for those over age 65 when we finally receive our shipment from Public Health. We will notify patients when vaccines arrive.
Q: Can I get sick from the vaccine?
A: No. The vaccine is made from a dead virus. Those patients who ‘got sick’ the last time they received the flu vaccine most likely suffered from many other respiratory viruses that the flu shot does not protect against.
Q: Why do I need to get vaccinated every year?
A: Influenza virus mutates (changes) rapidly. This ‘antigenic drift’ is the reason why each year microbiologists design a new vaccine which will protect against the predominant circulating strain of the Flu.
Q: How effective is the flu vaccine?
A: Depends on how well the vaccine strains match with circulating influenza virus. When there is good match between vaccine and circulating strain, the vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40%-60%. Conversely, when there is a poor match, the effectiveness is lower.
Q: What if there is a poor match between vaccine and circulating Influenza strain?
A: All is not lost. There are still some benefits as the vaccine protects against the other non dominant circulating strains and some individuals carry their immunity forward to future years as well.
Q: If the vaccine is at best 60% effective, why get it at all?
A: Imagine if you were told you only have a 60% chance of winning the lotto. Would you turn down the opportunity? The flu vaccine is a safe vaccine where you or your loved ones might be the beneficiary of the winning lotto ticket.
Here are some of the possible ‘winnings’:
• Reduces risk of getting hospitalized for Flu complications
• If you get hospitalized, it reduces your risk of getting admitted to ICU by 82%
• Reduces your risk of getting heart attacks!
• Reduces pregnant mothers being hospitalized due to influenza by 40% and it also protects the new born infant after birth
• Reduces children risk of dying from an influenza by 50%
Q: Where can I get the key facts and evidence on the Flu vaccine?
A: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm#benefits
Keep it healthy!
Dr. Matin
Link to previous blogs: https://www.greenbeltfht.com/?cat=23