Flu vaccination (2021/2022)
Influenza is one of the fastest spreading viral diseases. This is an acute infection, dangerous with complications for all organs - from the lungs to the nervous system. The respiratory nature of the disease contributes to the rapid spread of airborne droplets, which leads to mass infection of people and epidemics occur. Every year, about half a million people worldwide die from the effects of influenza.
There is no universal medicine to fight the flu. Antibiotics do not affect viruses, and antiviral drugs are often powerless and ineffective.
Getting a flu shot is the best effective precaution, because it contains dead or weakened viruses, and sometimes parts of them. The body reacts to the introduction of a foreign antigen protein (even if it is not living) and begins to intensively produce protective antibody proteins. In the future, a protein of this type will not be able to attack the vaccinated organism, since its immune system has already formed a defense. The disease will either pass by or be mild.
special instructions
Preclinical studies have shown that the vaccine does not have embryotoxic or teratogenic effects. The decision to vaccinate pregnant women should be made by a doctor individually, taking into account the risk of contracting influenza and possible complications of influenza infection. Vaccination is safest in the II-III trimesters of pregnancy.
Does not have a teratogenic or toxic effect on the fetus. Vaccination is possible during breastfeeding.
Vaccination is carried out annually in the autumn-winter period. Vaccination is possible at the beginning of an epidemic rise in the incidence of influenza.
IV administration is not allowed.
Against the background of mild ARVI, acute intestinal diseases, etc., vaccination is carried out after normalization of body temperature.
On the day of vaccination, those vaccinated must be examined by a doctor (paramedic) with mandatory thermometry. If the body temperature is above 37°C, vaccination is not carried out.
Indications for Vaxigrip vaccination
Vaxigrip vaccination is indicated for a wide range of people:
- children older than 6 months during the period of rising incidence;
- patients with chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, and respiratory organs;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- persons over 60 years of age;
- cancer patients receiving cytostatics, other chemotherapeutic drugs and/or radiation therapy;
- persons with immunodeficiency conditions who are being treated with hormonal drugs and immunosuppressants.
It is recommended for people with an increased risk of post-influenza complications to get the Vaxigrip flu vaccine.
Who needs an annual flu vaccination?
First of all, vaccination against influenza is necessary for those who, due to the nature of their work, have to communicate a lot with people and for those for whom the flu poses the greatest danger.
Annual influenza vaccination is required for the following categories of the population:
- women during pregnancy;
- men and women over 55 years of age;
- children aged from 6 months to 7 years;
- persons suffering from chronic lung and heart diseases;
- representatives of professions with a high risk of infection: doctors, salespeople, teachers, educators, public transport drivers.
For patients who have recovered from Covid-19, vaccination against influenza is also highly recommended; they can receive it 1 month after recovery.
Benefits of the Vaxigrip vaccine
Influenza is one of the most dangerous and insidious seasonal diseases, as it can cause serious complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems, chronic diseases and in children. Amel Dental uses the most effective vaccine of 2020-2021 “Vaxigrip-Tetra” (Sanofi Pasteur France). This vaccine is effective against 4 strains of the virus, the most active in the current epidemic season.
Vaccination with Vaxigrip-Tetra has a number of advantages:
- suitable for the prevention of influenza even in the youngest children - children from 6 months;
- within 2-3 weeks, the vaccinated patient begins to develop specific immunity against influenza viruses;
- Antibodies can remain in the body for a long time.
Flu
Flu
- an acute respiratory viral infection caused by viruses of groups A, B or C, occurring with severe toxicosis, fever, damage to the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Flu
often causes complications, including death, and causes epidemics.
Characteristics of influenza:
- the most dangerous infection from the ARVI family
- highly infectious
- rapid spread
- sudden onset of first symptoms
- high risk of complications
- duration of threat from November to March
There are three groups of the virus:
- group A
- with numerous strains. It has a severe course, a high percentage of complications, and is highly mutated - group B
– is relatively mild, rarely causes complications, mutates strongly - group C
– proceeds relatively easily, practically does not mutate, occurs mainly in children
The influenza virus belongs to the group of acute respiratory viral infections, has a distribution, seasonality and course similar to them, but has more pronounced clinical manifestations, course and outcomes.
Influenza is prone to epidemic spread. The source of infection is sick people during the incubation and peak periods. Infection occurs by airborne droplets, from the moment of infection to clinical manifestations it takes from 6 hours to 2 days. The virus penetrates through the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract. Less commonly, infection occurs through shared hygiene items and utensils.
Flu symptoms:
- heat;
- headache;
- pain in muscles and joints (aches);
- runny nose;
- cough;
- a sore throat.
Each of us and our loved ones may be targeted, but we are especially vulnerable:
- babies, especially premature babies
- pregnant women
- often sick
- elderly
- patients with chronic diseases (lungs, heart, immune system), with diabetes;
- overweight people.
How to diagnose influenza?
The basis for diagnosing influenza is typical clinical signs with severe intoxication and an indication of epidemic data. Confirms the diagnosis of influenza by isolating a strain of the virus from the mucous membrane of the throat and nose. During an influenza epidemic, the diagnosis is made based on clinical data.
Complications of influenza:
- sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses)
- otitis (ear inflammation)
- bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi)
- pneumonia (pneumonia)
- meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain)
- myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
- exacerbation of chronic diseases
- decreased immunity and frequent morbidity after
- risk of miscarriage
Flu prevention:
- difficulties in compliance and insufficient effectiveness of usual preventive measures (frequent hand washing, rinsing the nose with saline solutions, limiting visits to crowded places and contact with coughing people, wearing a mask during the epidemic season)
- vaccination
is the most effective and internationally proven method of protection - It is better to get vaccinated in advance, given that it will take an average of 2 weeks to develop immunity
There are few contraindications to vaccination:
- acute febrile condition
- exacerbation of a chronic disease
- anaphylactic (extremely severe allergic) reaction to egg white or neomycin
Benefits of vaccination at the Amel Dental clinic
Our vaccination clinic uses only certified drugs that meet the standards of the European Union and the World Health Organization.
Flu vaccination at Amel Dental is carried out in compliance with all protocols:
- We have created optimal conditions for storing the vaccine;
- We vaccinate both children and adults;
- vaccination is carried out by an experienced specialist who has undergone special training;
- in the office where vaccination is carried out there is everything necessary to provide first aid in case of an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock;
- Before vaccination, an examination and consultation with a doctor is carried out;
- consultation and recommendations of a doctor after vaccination.
In addition, with us you can get high-quality pediatric services in Dnepr, give your child mandatory vaccinations in accordance with the vaccination calendar, and get advice from other highly specialized specialists.
How often should you get flu shots?
A feature of influenza is frequent mutations of the virus that causes the disease. Therefore, it is impossible to get a vaccine that would protect against any modification of the influenza virus. Vaccine manufacturers monitor the current epidemiological situation, annually updating the vaccine so that it takes into account the latest most widespread mutations of influenza. This means that each year you need a new vaccine to give you the best immunity against the flu that will spread that year. In addition, the number of antibodies to the virus decreases over time, and after 6-12 months their number can no longer resist infection.
You should get a flu shot in advance.
Vaccination against influenza cannot be considered as an emergency measure: it takes time (at least a week) to develop immunity to the virus.
It should also be borne in mind that vaccination against influenza does not mean that a vaccinated person is guaranteed not to get ARVI this season. But the likelihood of getting sick is significantly reduced. Also, if the disease does occur, it will most likely occur in a weakened form.
VAXIGRIPP-TETRA – contraindications
Before vaccinating children and adults with Vaxigrip, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications for vaccination:
- age up to six months;
- inflammatory processes in the body, accompanied by an increase in body temperature;
- the presence of an allergy or sensitivity to the active and auxiliary components of the vaccine, including an allergy to chicken eggs.
As for flu vaccinations during pregnancy, if the woman has no contraindications and no objections from the attending physician, vaccination is permissible at any time. The practice of using inactivated vaccines has shown that they do not have any negative effect on the health of the mother or the development of the fetus.
Possible reactions
In most cases, the Vaxigrip vaccine is well tolerated by both adults and children. But in some cases, adverse reactions are possible. What might be the reaction to the Vaxigrip vaccine?
Common side effects:
- temperature increase;
- chills;
- deterioration of health, fatigue;
- muscle pain, joint aches;
- increased sweating;
- headache.
The listed reactions are not dangerous and do not require seeking medical help. Children may also experience swelling, redness or bruising at the injection site, and pain that goes away on their own.
In rare cases, more serious reactions occur after vaccination:
- neuralgia, other neurological disorders;
- fever and convulsions;
- skin rash, itching of the skin;
- rapid development of an allergic reaction up to Quincke's edema;
- goosebumps, tingling sensation in the body and decreased or loss of sensation;
- asymmetrical enlargement of two or more lymph nodes;
- transient thrombocytopenia.
If one of the listed disorders occurs after vaccination, emergency medical attention is required; you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
Indications for vaccination “Vaxigrip-Tetra”
Vaccination against influenza is indicated for adults and children from 6 months of age to prevent influenza caused by two subtypes of influenza A virus and two types of influenza B virus, protects against the disease and its complications.
Vaccinations with the Vaxigrip-Tetra vaccine are especially indicated:
- adults and children with weakened immunity, predisposition to ARVI, including young children (under 2 years old), elderly people (over 60 years old);
- adults who work in places with high traffic (salespeople, medical workers, etc.);
- personnel working in children's groups;
- patients with severe chronic diseases (cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the respiratory system) who have a high risk of developing complications of influenza;
- women who are planning pregnancy;
- everyone who wants to minimize the risk of disease during an epidemiologically unfavorable period.
When should I get the Vaskigrip vaccine?
The timing of vaccination is determined by the rate of formation of immunity and its duration. Immunity after vaccination with Vaxigrip is formed between 2 and 3 weeks after vaccination. The duration of immunity is 6-12 months.
Based on this, the most suitable time for vaccination is the autumn-winter period, from October to March. The vaccination is carried out once intramuscularly or subcutaneously into the shoulder muscle. Children vaccinated for the first time are given a second vaccination after 28 days intramuscularly in the thigh. It is important that Vaxigrip vaccination for children does not violate the vaccination schedule; it is compatible with all other vaccinations except BCG.
How is the flu vaccination carried out?
Flu vaccination is carried out in compliance with standard measures:
- examination by a doctor (generalist, pediatrician) before vaccination;
- laboratory tests (according to indications).
You can get vaccinated against the flu at any time, but it is advisable to take care of prevention before the onset of an unfavorable epidemic period (early October-November), since immunity against viruses in the body is formed up to 3 weeks.
Vaccination of children under 9 years of age who have not previously received a flu vaccine is carried out twice with an interval of 1 month. The doctor observes the patient during vaccination and monitors his condition after the procedure.
Benefits of Vaxigrip vaccination
- It does not contain a preservative, so vaccination is allowed for children.
- Unlike others, it does not contain polyoxidonium.
- Contains inactivated split influenza viruses.
- Contains internal and external antigens, thereby increasing its effectiveness.
- The active component is cultivated on chicken embryos of healthy chickens, concentrated, and neutralized. Cleavage is followed by a high purification phase. The output is a vaccine purified from ballast substances and toxins.
