An influenza vaccine protects people against the flu.
Alternative NamesVaccine - influenza; Immunization - influenza; Flu shot; Flu vaccine
InformationThe flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by an influenza virus. In the U.S., flu outbreaks typically occur in winter months. Symptoms include fever, chills, sore muscles, and cough. Thousands of people in the U.S. die each year from the flu or its complications. Most of those who die are the elderly, young children, or people with compromised immune systems.
See article on the flu for more information.
The viruses that typically cause the flu are primarily categorized as influenza type A or type B. Influenza type B does not change much over time, but type A can mutate rapidly. Therefore, a new form of the flu vaccine must be developed each year to protect people against the exact strains that are expected to be most prevalent.
There are two types of flu vaccines: a flu shot and a nasal spray-type vaccine.
The flu shot contains killed (inactive) viruses, so it is not possible to get the flu from this type of vaccine. However, some people do get a low-grade fever for a day or two after the shot as their immune systems gear up to recognize the virus. The flu shot is approved for people age 6 months and older.
A nasal spray-type flu vaccine called FluMist uses a live, weakened virus instead of a dead one like the flu shot. It is approved for healthy people aged 2 to 49. The vaccine helps the lining of the nose fight off actual viral infections. It should not be used in those who have asthma or children under age 5 who have repeated wheezing episodes.
Flu vaccines are generally given at the beginning of the "flu season" -- usually late October or early November in the U.S. However, they may be given as late as March, and still provide some benefit.
People traveling to other countries should be aware that the flu may occur at different times.
WHO SHOULD GET THE VACCINE
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone who wants to reduce their risk of the flu should get a flu vaccine. The flu shot is for people age 6 months and older. Some people are more likely to get the flu or to have a severe infection if they catch it. People at risk for more serious flu infections should always get a flu vaccine every year.
Older children and adults only require a single shot each year. However, children under age 9 need two shots 1 month apart the first time they receive flu vaccine or if they have not previously received two doses during one flu season.
The following people should get a flu shot every year.
You should get a flu shot every year if you:
The flu shot is encouraged for:
BENEFITS
Most people achieve protection from the flu approximately 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine.
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
Most people have no side effects from the flu shot. Soreness at the injection site or minor aches and low grade fever may be present for several days.
Unlike the swine flu vaccine used in 1976, flu vaccines in recent years have shown no association with Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS) in children, and an extremely small increase in the risk of GBS in adults. This risk is far outweighed by the number of severe flu cases prevented by immunization.
As is the case with any drug or vaccine, there is a rare possibility of allergic reaction.
The regular seasonal flu shot has been shown to be safe for pregnant women and their babies. Most people have no side effects from the flu shot. Soreness at the injection site or minor aches and low grade fever may be present for several days.
Normal side effects of the nasal spray flu vaccine include fever, headache, runny nose, vomiting, and some wheezing. Although these symptoms sound like symptoms of the flu, the side effects do not become a severe or life-threatening flu infection.
WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE A FLU VACCINE
According to the CDC, some people should not be vaccinated without first talking to a doctor. In general, you should not get a flu shot if you:
If you meet any of the above criteria, ask your doctor if a flu vaccine is safe for you.
ReferencesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents -- United States, 2008. Pediatrics. 2008 Jan;121(1):219-20.
Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 24 July 2009;58(Early Release):1-52 .
An influenza vaccine protects people against the flu. A new form of the flu vaccine needs to be developed most years to protect people against the exact strains that are expected to be most common.
Alternative NamesVaccine - influenza; Immunization - influenza; Flu shot; Flu vaccine
InformationThe flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by an influenza virus. Thousands of people in the U.S. die each year from the flu or its complications. Most of those who die are the elderly, young children, or people with compromised immune systems. For more information about flu symptoms and treatment, see: Flu
2011-2012 VACCINE
The flu vaccine that will be given during the fall and winter of 2011 - 2012 will also protect you against swine (H1N1) flu. There is no separate vaccine for Swine Flu.
There are two types of flu vaccines: a flu shot and a nasal spray vaccine.
Flu vaccines are generally given at the beginning of the "flu season" -- usually late October or early November in the U.S. However, they may be given as late as March, and still provide some benefit.
People traveling to other countries should be aware that the flu may occur at different times of the year from the U.S.
WHO SHOULD GET THE VACCINE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccine. Some people are more likely to get the flu or to have a severe infection if they catch it. People at risk for more serious flu infections should always get a flu vaccine every year. Thus, the CDC recommends extra efforts to vaccinate people in the following groups:
Older children and adults only require a single shot each year. However, children under age 9 need two shots 1 month apart the first time they receive flu vaccine or if they have not previously received two doses during one flu season.
BENEFITS
Most people are protected from the flu about 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine.
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
Most people have no side effects from the flu shot. Soreness at the injection site or minor aches and low grade fever may be present for several days.
As is the case with any drug or vaccine, there is a rare possibility of allergic reaction.
The regular seasonal flu shot has been shown to be safe for pregnant women and their babies. Most people have no side effects from the flu shot. Soreness at the injection site or minor aches and low grade fever may be present for several days.
Normal side effects of the nasal spray flu vaccine include fever, headache, runny nose, vomiting, and some wheezing. Although these symptoms sound like symptoms of the flu, the side effects do not become a severe or life-threatening flu infection.
WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE A FLU VACCINE
Some people should not be vaccinated without first talking to their doctor. The vaccine is not approved for people under 6 months of age. In general, you should not get a flu shot if you:
If you meet any of the above criteria, ask your doctor if a flu vaccine is safe for you.
ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and Control ofI nfluenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011. MMWR. 2011 Aug 26;60:1128-32.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/16/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is a type of influenza vaccine in the form of a nasal spray that used to be recommended to prevent influenza.
influenza vaccine
(1) Afluria (Pro) influenza virus vaccine, inactivated10(2) Fluarix Quadrivalent influenza virus vaccine, inactivated(3) Flublok Quadrivalent influenza virus vaccine, inactivated(4) Fluvirin (Pro) influenza virus vaccine, inactivated(5) Engerix-B hepatitis b adult vaccine(6) Flublok (Pro) influenza virus vaccine, inactivated(7)Zostavax (Pro) zoster vaccine live(8) Gardasil 9 (Pro) human papillomavirus vaccine(9) Flucelvax Quadrivalent influenza virus vaccine, inactivated(10) Shingrix (Pro) zoster vaccine, inactivated(13) FluMist (Pro) influenza virus vaccine, live, trivalent(12) Fluzone (Pro) influenza virus vaccine, inactivated
influenza
One code is 90471. There is a 2nd code for the actual influenza vaccine, but we need to know the age of the patient.
Dr. Rosenow in 1918
Intramuscular.
Influenza vaccine, intramuscular
Adults should get seasonal influenza vaccine annually.
Vaccination is only a preventative measure, it will not cure influenza.
The MMR vaccine stings more than the flu shot.
Influenza virus vaccine