Influenza Vaccine
What is Influenza
Influenza is a viral and contagious disease caused by the influenza virus. Unlike a mild cold, influenza can be a severe and even fatal disease, especially in high-risk populations such as individuals over the age of 65 and chronically ill patients.
Millions of people around the world contract the flu, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands pass away due to influenza complications.
Influenza symptoms
Influenza symptoms typically appear abruptly. People who have the flu may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Fever or a feeling of fever and chills
- Coughing
- Throat ache
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle and body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
Influenza complications
Most people who have the flu recover within a few days to 2 weeks; however, others may suffer complications, including pneumonia, or an exacerbation of chronic medical conditions, including cardiac insufficiency, asthma, or diabetes.
While some flu-related symptoms, such as sinus and ear infections, are minor, there are also those that are significant and even fatal. Among them is pneumonia, which can be brought on by the influenza virus by itself or in conjunction with a bacterial infection.
Severe complications may include:
- Heart infection (myocarditis), brain infection (encephalitis), muscle infection (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-system failure (including respiratory failure and renal failure).
- Influenza virus infection can activate an extreme inflammatory response in the body and lead to blood sepsis, which is a life-threatening response of the body to infection
- Influenza can also exacerbate chronic medical conditions; for instance, individuals with asthma may experience asthma attacks while suffering from influenza, and those with chronic heart disease may experience an exacerbation of this condition due to influenza.
Why should you get vaccinated?
Studies have shown that the flu vaccine reduces mortality rates from the disease by half.
Studies demonstrate that annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk of getting the flu, its complications, hospitalization, and even death. The flu vaccine has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of getting the flu, being hospitalized, and even dying. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone over the age of 65 get vaccinated against the flu.
Possible side effects after vaccination
- Soreness, redness, and/or swelling in the injection site
- Headaches
- Fever and muscle ache (common, particularly after the first vaccination)
- Throat ache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Runny nose
- Coughing
These symptoms typically start shortly after receiving the vaccination and usually pass in a short period of time.
The influenza vaccine, like other shots, can cause a vasovagal response (faintness). It is important to stay in the vaccination area for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine.
Very rarely (once every million vaccinations), there may be an extremely allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). This is a life-threatening but treatable condition. Treatment is provided instantly at the clinic by the vaccination team.
Click here for further information on medical treatment after vaccination
Recommendations regarding the influenza vaccine
If there is no medical restriction, it is recommended to receive the influenza vaccine annually. The vaccine is updated every year and adapted to the influenza strains that are expected to cause morbidity that season. Moreover, the effectiveness of the vaccine decreases over time.
It is recommended to get the flu vaccine every year, even if you were vaccinated the previous year. The vaccine is updated annually to protect against the most common strains of flu that are expected to circulate that season. The effectiveness of the vaccine decreases over time, so getting vaccinated every year is the best way to ensure that you are protected.
As the vaccine provides protection against the flu only two weeks after vaccination, it is recommended to receive an annual flu shot at the beginning of the HMOs' immunization program (often in September or October).
Who should not receive the influenza vaccine?
- If you suffer from an acute fever illness, wait until you have recovered before getting the flu vaccine.
- On rare occasions, such as if you have had a severe allergic reaction or Guillain-Barré syndrome after a previous flu vaccine, it may be best to avoid getting the vaccine. Consult with your family doctor.
It is very important to tell the vaccination team if you have an egg allergy.
Common myths on the influenza vaccine
The flu vaccine can make me sick
False!
Contrary to what people sometimes think, the flu vaccine contains an inactivated virus, making it possible to contract the illness from the vaccine.
Vaccination after being ill is healthier to the body than vaccination by a vaccine
False!
While consequences from the flu vaccine are significantly less common, the flu can result in serious complications and even death, especially in the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions. The side effects of the flu vaccine are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days. The flu, on the other hand, can cause serious complications and pose real threats.
Do not get the vaccine if you are not feeling well
False!
If you are ill with a fever, it is best to postpone the vaccination until after recovery. However, if it is a mild cold, there is no reason to postpone the vaccination. Any delay leaves you with additional contract exposure time. Therefore, it is imperative to get vaccinated as soon as possible every year.
