Lakeshore Family Care - Medical News

Yes, it’s time to think about Flu season again.

What is the Flu shot?
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. It contains three influenza viruses. The three vaccine strains – one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus – are representative of the influenza vaccine strains recommended for that year. Viruses for the flu shot are grown in eggs.

Who should get a flu shot?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

People who should get vaccinated are:

A. People at high risk of complications from the flu:
Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday
Pregnant women
People 50 years and older

B. People any age with certain chronic medical conditions:
People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu Healthcare workers
Household contacts of out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

How effective is the flu shot?
The three strains included in the flu shot are “best guesses” at what strains will most likely break out in the upcoming year. When the “match” between the vaccine and the circulating strains are close, the vaccine prevents influenza in about 70%-90% of healthy persons younger than age 65 years. Among elderly persons living outside chronic-care facilities (such as nursing homes) and those persons with long-term (chronic) medical conditions, the flu shot is 30%-70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia and influenza. Among elderly nursing home residents, the flu shot is most effective in preventing severe illness, secondary complications, and deaths related to the flu. In this population, the flu shot can be 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalization and pneumonia and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu.

What are the risks from getting a flu shot?
The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, may rarely cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. Almost all people who get influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it.

What are the side effects that could occur?
Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Fever (low grade)
Aches
If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last one to two days.

Can severe problems occur?
Life-threatening allergic reactions are very rare. Signs of serious allergic reaction can include breathing problems, hoarseness, or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness. If they do occur, it is within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot. These reactions are more likely to occur among persons with a severe allergy to eggs, because the viruses used in the influenza vaccine are grown in hen’s eggs. People who have had a severe reaction to eggs or to a flu shot in the past should not get a flu shot before seeing a physician.

When should I get my flu shot?
Typically the flu shots program begins about the 3rd or 4th week in October. More information about the influenza vaccine or other immunization can be found at the CDC web site (www.cdc.gov)