PARK AVENUE WALK IN CLINIC

Copyright © 2005 PARK AVENUE WALK IN CLINIC

INFLUENZA VACCINE INACTIVATED
1 Why get vaccinated?
2 Inactivated Influenza vaccine
3 Who should get inactivated
influenza vaccine?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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.
Other illnesses can have the same symptoms and are often
mistaken for influenza. But only an illness caused by the
influenza virus is really influenza.
Anyone can get influenza, but rates of infection are highest
among children. For most people, it lasts only a few days. It
can cause:
· fever · sore throat · chills · fatigue
· cough · headache · muscle aches
Some people get much sicker. 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. On average, 226,000 people are hospitalized every
year because of influenza and 36,000 die – mostly elderly.
Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza.
There are two types of influenza vaccine:
Inactivated (killed) vaccine, or the “flu shot” is given by
injection into the muscle.
Live, attenuated (weakened) influenza vaccine, called LAIV,
is sprayed into the nostrils. This vaccine is described in a
separate Vaccine Information Statement.
For most people influenza vaccine prevents serious influenzarelated
illness. But it will not prevent “influenza-like”
illnesses caused by other viruses.
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.
Some inactivated influenza vaccine contains thimerosal, a
preservative that contains mercury. Some people believe
thimerosal may be related to developmental problems in
children. In 2004 the Institute of Medicine published a
report concluding that, based on scientific studies, there is
no evidence of such a relationship. If you are concerned
about thimerosal, ask your doctor about thimerosal-free
influenza vaccine.
People 6 months of age and older can receive inactivated
influenza vaccine. It is recommended for anyone who is at
risk of complications from influenza or more likely to
require medical care:
• All children from 6 months up to 5 years of age.
• Anyone 50 years of age or older .
• Anyone 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term
aspirin treatment (they could develop Reye Syndrome
if they got influenza).
•Women who will be pregnant during influenza season.
• Anyone with long-term health problems with:
- heart disease - kidney disease
- lung disease - metabolic disease, such as diabetes
- asthma - anemia, and other blood disorders
• Anyone with a weakened immune system due to:
- HIV/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.
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care
facilities .
Influenza vaccine is also recommended for anyone who
lives with or cares for people at high risk for influenzarelated
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
higher risk for severe complications from influenza.
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.
Influenza vaccine is also recommended for anyone who wants
to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or
spreading influenza to others .
2007-08
Plan to get influenza vaccine in October or November if you
can. But getting vaccinated in December, or even later, will still
be beneficial in most years. You can get the vaccine as soon as
it is available, and for as long as illness is occurring. Influenza
illness can occur any time from November through May. Most
cases usually occur in January or February.
Most people need one dose of influenza vaccine each year.
Children younger than 9 years of age getting influenza
vaccine for the first time should get 2 doses For inactivated
vaccine, these doses should be given at least 4 weeks apart.
Influenza vaccine may be given at the same time as other
vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccine.
5
Some people should talk with a
doctor before getting influenza
vaccine
6 What are the risks from
inactivated influenza vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious
problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of a
vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
Serious problems from influenza vaccine are very rare. The
viruses in inactivated influenza vaccine have been killed, so
you cannot get influenza from the vaccine.
Mild problems:
• soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• fever • aches
If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the
shot and last 1-2 days.
Severe problems:
• Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very
rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to
a few hours after the shot.
• In 1976, a certain type of influenza (swine flu) vaccine was
associated with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Since
then, flu vaccines have not been clearly linked to GBS.
However, if there is a risk of GBS from current flu
vaccines, it would be no more than 1 or 2 cases per million
people vaccinated. This is much lower than the risk of
severe influenza, which can be prevented by vaccination.
9 How can I learn more?
• Ask your immunization provider. They can give you the vaccine
package insert or suggest other sources of information.
• Call your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)
- Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/flu
department of health and human services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
7 What if there is a severe
reaction?
4 When should I get influenza
vaccine?
In the event that you or your child has a serious reaction to a
vaccine, a federal program has been created to help pay for
the care of those who have been harmed.
For details about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program, call 1-800-338-2382 or visit their website at
www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation.
Vaccine Information Statement
Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (7/16/07) 42 U.S.C. §300aa-26
Some people should not get inactivated influenza vaccine or
should wait before getting it.
• Tell your doctor if you have any severe (life-threatening)
allergies. Allergic reactions to influenza vaccine are rare.
- Influenza vaccine virus is grown in eggs. People with a
severe egg allergy should not get the vaccine.
- A severe allergy to any vaccine component is also a
reason to not get the vaccine.
- If you have had a severe reaction after a previous dose of
influenza vaccine, tell your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome
(a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS). You may be
able to get the vaccine, but your doctor should help you
make the decision.
• People who are moderately or severely ill should usually
wait until they recover before getting flu vaccine. If you
are ill, talk to your doctor or nurse about whether to
reschedule the vaccination. People with a mild illness
can usually get the vaccine .
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.
• Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it
happened, and when the vaccination was given.
• Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to report
the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting
System (VAERS) form.
Or you can file this report through the VAERS web site at
www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
VAERS does not provide medical advice.