Contents:
- Medical Video: Flu Vaccine Side Effects
- Why is it important to get an influenza vaccine?
- Who should get the influenza vaccine?
- Who is not recommended to get an influenza vaccine?
- What should I do before getting an influenza vaccine?
- Are there side effects of influenza vaccine?
Medical Video: Flu Vaccine Side Effects
Influenza vaccine or flu vaccine, is a vaccine that protects our body from influenza. Because the development of influenza virus is very fast, the new version of this vaccine will appear twice a year, with effectiveness varying annually, most influenza vaccines provide moderate to high protection against influenza.
The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that almost everyone over 6 months get a flu vaccine every year. Especially for pregnant women, children between 6 months and 5 years, people with other disease conditions, and health care workers.
Why is it important to get an influenza vaccine?
Influenza is a serious disease that can cause hospitalization and even death. Every flu season varies, and influenza infections can affect everyone differently. Even healthy people can become very sick from the flu and pass it on to other people.
In the period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-related deaths ranged from around 3,000 to 49,000 people. During the recent flu season, between 80% and 90% of flu deaths occur in people aged 65 years and over.
Seasonal flu vaccine every year is the best step to reduce the chance of getting the flu and spread it to other people. If more and more people are vaccinated against the flu, fewer flu spread to the community.
Who should get the influenza vaccine?
Various influenza vaccines are approved for people of all ages, but there are influenza vaccines approved for use only in people aged 6 months and above. Influenza vaccine is also approved for use in pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions.
If the number of vaccines is limited, vaccination must be focused on giving vaccinations to the following people:
- Children 6 months to 4 years old (59 months)
- People aged 50 years and over
- People with chronic lung disease (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), kidney, liver, neurological, hematological, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
- People with immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by treatment or HIV)
- Women who are or will become pregnant during influenza and female seasons up to 2 weeks after delivery
- People who are 6 months to 18 years old and receive long-term aspirin therapy and who can be at risk of experiencing Reye's syndrome after infection with influenza virus
- People who live in nursing homes or other chronic medical service facilities
- People with extreme obesity (body mass index 40 or more)
- Medical service officer
- Contact with households and caregivers of children under 5 years and older people over 50 years, especially contact vaccinations in children under 6 months
- Contact with households and caregivers of people with medical conditions that provide a risk of serious complications from influenza.
Who is not recommended to get an influenza vaccine?
The following people should not be given influenza vaccines:
- Children under 6 months
- People with severe and threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or vaccine content, such as gelatin, antibiotics, or other ingredients.
The following people may only get an influenza vaccine after checking and consulting a doctor:
- If you have an allergy to eggs or ingredients in the vaccine. Talk to your doctor about your allergies.
- If you have ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a serious disabling disease, also called GBS). Some people with a history of GBS may not accept this vaccine. Talk to your doctor about the history of your GBS.
- If you feel bad, talk to your doctor about symptoms.
What should I do before getting an influenza vaccine?
Increase your body's immune system. Ask a trusted pharmacist to recommend a good multivitamin. You can also use melatonin at night to help you feel calmer if you feel anxious, as well as stretching or yoga exercises. If you use sleeping pills, do not take over-the-counter drugs or supplements before consulting a doctor.
Reduce intake of refined sugar and caffeine in your diet. If you often consume caffeinated drinks after noon, replace them with decaffeinated drinks. Caffeine and sugar cause instability in the energy and cause anxiety. Avoiding these products can help you calm down before and during the procedure.
Are there side effects of influenza vaccine?
Some of the side effects that can arise due to flu vaccines are:
- Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
- Low fever
- Pain
Injections can also cause other side effects such as:
- Hard and itchy area of injection
- If this problem arises, the condition starts shortly after the injection and usually lasts for 1-2 days.
Life-threatening allergic reactions are very rare. Signs of an allergic reaction can include breathing difficulties, hoarseness or wheezing, itching, pallor, weakness, rapid or dizzy heartbeat. If signs appear, usually within minutes or hours after the injection. This reaction occurs among people who are allergic to the content of vaccines, such as egg protein or other ingredients. Although serious reactions are not common, you should tell your doctor, nurse, pharmacist if you have a history of allergies or a serious reaction to the flu vaccine or other ingredients from the flu vaccine.
There is a small chance that influenza vaccines can be related to Guillain-Barré syndrome, not more than 1-2 cases of 1 million vaccinated people. This figure is far lower than the risk of serious complications from flu, which can be prevented by the flu vaccine.
If you experience a serious reaction to seasonal influenza vaccines, call or visit a doctor immediately and tell them what happened
If you have questions related to this procedure, consult your doctor for a better understanding.
