FLU Season What to Do?

It's flu season again, so I found this interesting Q&A article about the Seasonal Flu Vaccine for you. Also this month, you are invited to participate in a Good Health Phone-In Presentation, "Protecting Yourself from Influenza and Colds" given by our Dow Subject Matter Expert, Janie De Jesus, RN. The dates, times, and a link to the presentation are listed at the end of the article. If you cannot get the link to work, e-mail me (Leslie) at LSosebee@dow.com and I will send you a copy of the slides.

No Question About It…Get Your Flu Shot!
(adapted from www.immunize.org)
How serious is influenza?
Although many people think of influenza as a type of cold, it is really a specific and serious disease. Rates of infection are highest among children, but the risks for complications, hospitalizations, and deaths from influenza are higher among persons age 65 years or older, young children, and persons of any age who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza. In nursing homes, up to 60% of residents may be infected, with up to a 30% fatality rate in the infected. Risk for influenza-associated death is highest among the oldest elderly: persons age 85 years and older are 16 times more likely to die from an influenza-associated illness than persons aged 65-69 years.
More than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year for respiratory and heart-related illnesses associated with influenza virus infections. The most frequent complication of influenza is bacterial pneumonia. Viral pneumonia is a less common complication but has a high fatality rate. Other complications include inflammation of the heart and worsening of such pulmonary diseases as bronchitis.
What is the best way to prevent influenza?
The best way to prevent influenza is with annual vaccination. There are two types of influenza vaccine. The most common influenza vaccine is made from inactivated (killed) viruses. The viruses are killed with formaldehyde, purified, and packaged in vials or syringes for injection. In June 2003, a live influenza vaccine was licensed. It contains live viruses that have been weakened (attenuated). The live vaccine is packaged in a special sprayer to be sprayed into the nose. About six months are required to produce influenza vaccine each year.
Who should get the influenza vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and other major medical groups all recommend this vaccine. All persons age 6 months or older can benefit from receiving the influenza vaccine. Annual vaccination with inactivated vaccine is recommended for EVERYONE age 50 or older, children age 6 months through 18 years old, and anyone with chronic medical problems and/or weakened immune systems. Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of these groups should also be vaccinated.
The live nasal spray vaccine may only be used in healthy, non-pregnant persons age 2 through 49 years. Children younger than age two years, persons age 50 and older, and anyone with a chronic medical condition should receive inactivated influenza vaccine (injectable), NOT live influenza vaccine.
How safe is this vaccine?
Influenza vaccine is very safe. The most common side effects of the injectable (inactivated) influenza vaccine include soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the injection. These reactions are temporary and occur in 15%–20% of recipients. Fewer than 1% of vaccine recipients develop such symptoms as fever, chills, and muscle aches. These symptoms are more likely to occur in a person who has never been exposed to the influenza virus or vaccine. Experiencing these non-specific side effects does not mean that you are getting influenza. These symptoms can persist for 1 to 2 days.
Can the vaccine cause influenza?
Neither the injectable vaccine nor the intranasal vaccine can cause influenza. The injectable influenza vaccine contains only killed viruses and cannot cause influenza disease. Fewer than 1% of people who are vaccinated develop influenza-like symptoms, such as mild fever and muscle aches, after vaccination. These side effects are not the same as having the actual disease.
Protective immunity develops 1 to 2 weeks after vaccination. Some people who get vaccinated later in the season (December or later) may get influenza shortly afterward, but the disease they develop is the result of being exposed to someone with the virus before the vaccine produced immunity, not the result of the vaccination.
Also, to many people "the flu" is any illness with fever and cold symptoms. If they get any viral illness, they may blame it on the influenza shot or think they got "the flu" despite being vaccinated. Influenza vaccine only protects against certain influenza viruses, not all viruses.
In regards to the H1N1 virus, the CDC states that “current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups” and is prioritizing H1N1 vaccine for children, pregnant mothers, and health care personnel with direct patient contact. See the July press release at http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090729b.htm. For more information on the H1N1 virus, H5N1 virus, and seasonal flu, visit www.flu.gov
Medicare Part B pays the entire cost of the influenza vaccine for its subscribers every flu season. If you are under 65, check with your health benefits provider; most plans cover the influenza vaccine at 100% as well.