The flu shot is reliable protection against the insidious virus

What is the flu, and why is it dangerous?

Influenza is an acute respiratory viral infection characterized by:

• sudden and rapid onset;
• increase in body temperature to high numbers;
• chills;
• severe weakness;
• severe aches in muscles and joints;
• headache;
• photophobia, redness of the eyes.

A runny nose and sore throat with the flu are usually mild. Often patients are bothered by a dry, painful cough, which can persist for a long time.

The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets. Typically, the incubation period lasts several days. In this case, a person becomes contagious even before clinical symptoms.

Often, influenza cannot be distinguished from other viral infections. In order to do this, there is a special analysis. Unlike ARVI, influenza has more severe symptoms, a higher incidence of complications and a protracted course. Complications of influenza include: otitis media, bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia. In addition, the influenza virus causes specific complications, affecting the nervous system and skeletal muscles.

When the temperature rises

One of the common phenomena of the post-vaccination period is an increase in body temperature - this indicates activation of the immune system. Almost every vaccinated child faces this problem. What should parents do in this case? The instructions are:

If the thermometer readings do not reach 38⁰C.

There is no need to resort to the help of traditional or traditional medicine and bring down the temperature. In this case, antipyretics can harm the child’s body.

If the temperature is above 38⁰C.

It is necessary to give the child Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Parents should remember that Aspirin irritates the gastrointestinal tract and creates a burden on the child’s fragile digestive system. Therefore, this antipyretic drug is contraindicated after vaccination.

Young, inexperienced parents make the mistake of wrapping their child in warm clothes and a blanket when the temperature rises. This should not be done, as the baby is at risk of overheating.

It is better to leave light clothing on the child or completely undress him and cover him with a thin sheet.

Please note : if the temperature persists for 2-3 days, this is a good reason to call a doctor.

Why do you need a flu shot?

Flu is a highly contagious and common disease. The most severe forms affect people over 65 and children under 5 years of age. People with chronic illnesses are also vulnerable to flu complications. It is to protect these populations that it is worth getting a flu shot.

The flu vaccine is one of the safest on the calendar. During the entire experience of its use, not a single serious complication was registered, which cannot be said about the infection itself.

The influenza virus is very variable and can mutate several times during the season. Sometimes such mutations lead to the emergence of particularly “infectious” viruses that cause severe illness in a large number of people. It was these viruses that caused the swine and bird flu epidemics. And also the “Spanish flu” - the most severe epidemic of the early 20th century, which claimed a huge number of lives.

In addition, the annual flu epidemic causes enormous damage to the state’s economy, because people are forced to stop working and take sick leave due to illness.

Where to put

Flu vaccinations are given in a fairly large number of places. For example, vaccination can always be carried out at your place of residence. All you have to do is get an appointment with a therapist, and he will refer you for immunoprophylaxis. Also, mass vaccination is often carried out at workplaces - in this case, everything happens in an organized manner: a certain day is chosen for vaccination, and everyone can get vaccinated right at work. There are also paid medical centers where you can also get immunoprophylaxis through vaccination.

There are mobile vaccination points in Moscow. They are located at a number of metro stations. Here, after examination by a specialist, the vaccine is given immediately.

Question answer

How does the flu vaccine work?

Can the flu be cured?

Currently, there are two groups of anti-influenza drugs on the pharmaceutical market:

1. Adamantane preparations (amantadine, remantadine). This is an old group of drugs to which the virus has developed resistance. Currently, their use is not recommended.
2. Neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir). Resistance to this group of drugs in influenza viruses is growing rapidly. In addition, these medications have a number of significant side effects.

There is also a fairly effective, but expensive and complex way to treat seriously ill patients using donor plasma.

All of the above brings us back to the fact that vaccination today is more effective and safer than medications used to treat influenza.

How to protect yourself?

It is possible to prevent the development of any undesirable effects from a flu shot if you approach the issue of vaccination responsibly. Firstly, you need to undergo a doctor’s examination before the procedure, which will rule out the presence of acute diseases. Secondly, if you are afraid of potential risks, you should additionally undergo at least clinical tests that will allow you to assess the condition of the body. Thirdly, you should not get vaccinated if you have any ailments. In such a situation, it is better to postpone it until the person feels 100% healthy.

If you have doubts and worries, you can additionally consult an immunologist, who will tell you how to protect yourself from even mild side effects after getting vaccinated against influenza or advise ways to minimize the consequences.

Vaccinations are in order. Vaccination rules for pregnant women Read more

How dangerous is the flu during pregnancy?

Every year in Russia, thousands of expectant mothers fall ill with the flu. Pregnant women are at risk for severe respiratory infections, among which influenza occupies a leading position.

Flu is very dangerous for the unborn baby. The infection increases the rate of miscarriage and also increases the risk of congenital diseases and fetal abnormalities.

Modern research has proven that vaccination of pregnant women is safe and effective. Much safer than the infection itself. Experts from WHO and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation recommend that all women planning pregnancy be vaccinated. Women during pregnancy and lactation are allowed any vaccines except live ones.

At-risk groups

There are 2 risk groups:

• according to epidemic indications,
• for medical reasons.

The risk group for epidemic indications includes people who have an increased likelihood of contracting influenza:

• Teachers, medical workers, service industry employees (salespeople, hairdressers), police officers and other persons who, due to the nature of their professional activities, come into contact with a large number of people.
• Children in organized groups: kindergartens, schools. Students of colleges and institutes.
• Persons living in closed institutions where the virus can spread quickly: military barracks, prisons, dormitories.

The risk group for medical reasons includes people with weakened immune systems who are predicted to have a severe course of influenza with the development of complications:

• People of older age groups (after 65 years).
• Children and adults with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and endocrine pathologies in the decompensation stage.
• Persons in specialized groups: children's homes, boarding schools, homes for the disabled and boarding houses for the elderly.
• Pregnant women and women in the early postpartum period.
• Children from 6 months to 2 years.

Why should you get a flu shot every year?

The World Health Organization has established a global influenza surveillance system. Her responsibilities include:

• collecting information about all circulating strains and selecting those that are most likely to cause an epidemic this year;
• control of mutation of strains potentially capable of causing dangerous epidemics.

Every year before the epidemic season, WHO reports on the work done and announces which strains should be included in the seasonal vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers, according to WHO recommendations, modify the original virus, creating a vaccine product from it.

The immunity formed by such a vaccination is developed approximately 2 weeks after its administration and reaches a maximum after 2-3 months. The protective effect of the vaccine lasts approximately 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of drug and the characteristics of the human immune system.

Contrary to popular belief, the process of “guessing” the strain is quite accurate. Experts were wrong only a few times and only with one of the strains of the virus included in the vaccine.

Sometimes it happens that this process is delayed. Manufacturers then have little time to make the vaccine. And they enter the pharmaceutical market with some delay, after the start of the epidemic season. It also happens that the “guessed virus” manages to mutate during the creation of the vaccine. In this case, the vaccination becomes less effective.

However, despite some shortcomings, modern flu vaccines remain reliable and relatively safe means of combating the disease.

Fake information about vaccinations

People who refuse vaccinations or do not vaccinate their children most often base their decision on information obtained online. However, in fact, the Internet is most often the source of medical misinformation or unreliable (fake) information.

The growing wave of popular mistrust of vaccinations is based primarily on the infamous article on the dangers of childhood vaccinations published in 1998 by British scientist Andrew Wakefield. This publication, which spawned a wave of vaccine refusals around the world, provided evidence that there was an alleged link between the use of the childhood MMR influenza vaccine and autism. The study's author subsequently retracted his paper, and the British Medical Journal reported that the study was fraudulent. Dr. Wakefield was paid by a law firm that was preparing a lawsuit against vaccine companies in order for him to publish his research. In total, the researcher received the equivalent of more than half a million dollars from the company. After the fraud was discovered, Dr. Wakerfield had his medical license revoked. But due to the fake publication, vaccination rates began to decline around the world. The discredited Wakefield study thoroughly tarnished the image of childhood vaccination in the eyes of parents who were unaware that they were simply being deliberately misled for selfish purposes. Such publications are often used today in the system of “social engineering” - the deliberate distortion of reality to create certain moods and movements in society that are beneficial to certain groups or organizations. Research has shown that media reports that present a false balance between pro- and anti-vaccination camps, regardless of the compelling evidence base in support of vaccination, can strongly influence readers' intention to vaccinate themselves or their children. This confusion may potentially be exacerbated by anti-vaccination rhetoric found online, on social media, or in advertisements from naturopaths and other alternative medicine practitioners.

What types of flu vaccines are there?

Influenza viruses are divided into 4 types:

1. A - This type is the most variable. This is precisely why there is a need to slightly change the composition of vaccines every year.
2. B - This type is somewhat more stable. However, scientists also have to study its mutations.
3. C - this type of virus hardly mutates. It usually does not cause severe illness. As a rule, it is transmitted in childhood, after which a strong immunity is formed in the body.
4. D - this virus does not cause disease in humans, but only affects animals.

Types C and D are not included in the vaccines.

Modern vaccines are three- or four-component. Three-component vaccines contain two strains of influenza type A and one strain of influenza type B. An additional variant of influenza type B is added to the four-component vaccine.

All vaccines for the prevention of influenza can be divided into two main types:

1. Live vaccines . Currently, live vaccines are rare. These drugs include Ultravac. This vaccination has all the contraindications and complications characteristic of live vaccines. For example, it is contraindicated for women during pregnancy and lactation.
2. Inactivated vaccines . They are divided into two types:

• three-component. These include “Grippol Plus”, “Vaxigrip”, “Influvac”, “Sovigripp”, “Ultrix”, “Flu-M”. The latter drug is intended for adults (according to the instructions, it can be used from 18 years of age);
• four-component. These drugs include Ultrix Quadri and Grippol Quadrivalent.

In addition, the drugs differ in the amount of hemagglutinin (the main active ingredient of the vaccine). The vaccines “Grippol”, “Grippol Quadrivalent” and “Savigripp” each contain 5 mcg of the substance. Other vaccines contain 15 mcg.

WHO recommends preference for four-component inactivated vaccines containing 15 mcg of hemagglutinin. However, there are no strict rules. Three-part vaccines are also acceptable. Preparations containing 5 mg of the active substance were quite effective in clinical trials and morbidity studies.

Scientists have also developed vaccines against influenza viruses that can cause epidemics. For example, from “Spanish flu”, “swine” and “bird” flu. Such vaccinations are not given annually. But, if necessary, they can be produced in large quantities in a short time.

Common myths about flu vaccination

The vaccine causes the flu. This myth is a good example of a cognitive bias, where people analyze incoming information and draw incorrect conclusions. People can indeed get the flu after vaccination, but this is not due to the effect of the vaccine, but to the two-week “window” while antibodies are produced that provide protection against the flu. Also, the viral composition of vaccines may not correspond to the actual circulating virus, which can lead to the development of the disease even during immunization.

Children do not get sick even without vaccinations. The myth originates from the phenomenon of herd or herd immunity, which can actually protect unvaccinated people, including infants and the elderly. Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population is immune to a contagious disease because they have been vaccinated against it. When this happens, infants and people whose immune systems are compromised have a much lower risk of exposure to the infection because the circulation of the pathogen is significantly limited due to vaccinations. But this does not mean that unvaccinated people will be protected from the flu if they are exposed to the virus.

Vaccinations do not affect the incidence of influenza. This opinion stems from the fact that, due to problems in predicting the types of influenza strains for the current season, the effectiveness of newly created influenza vaccines varies significantly from year to year: from 10% to 60%. This means that even if a person is vaccinated, he can still get the flu. However, you should know that vaccination, even if it does not prevent the disease, can significantly reduce the severity of the disease, prevent potentially fatal complications, shorten the duration of the flu, reduce the number of hospitalizations and stays in intensive care or intensive care units.

What is included in live and inactivated vaccines?

Live vaccines contain a live, attenuated virus. Such vaccinations are effective, but reactogenic (cause many side effects).

Depending on the composition, inactivated vaccines are divided into:

• split (split vaccines). They contain the capsule protein and part of the internal proteins of the virus as the main component. Such vaccines include Vaxigrip;
• subunit vaccines. They contain only the surface protein (antigen) of the virus. These include “Influvac”, “Grippol”, “Sovigripp”.

Both versions of inactivated vaccines have shown their effectiveness and safety.

In addition to the main components, vaccines include a medium, a preservative and a stabilizer. The Grippol and Sovigripp vaccines also contain an adjuvant (a substance that enhances the effect of the main component).

How effective are flu shots?

Despite all the difficulties, flu vaccines are highly effective - from 75 to 95%. The effectiveness of the vaccine depends on which type of virus is more common during the season, how quickly vaccination was started, and how well the human body responded to the vaccine.

The effectiveness of vaccination is also proven by the fact that with the increase in vaccinated people in our country, the incidence rate is falling. Over the past 20 years, the incidence of influenza has decreased by approximately 10 times. The number of cases of severe influenza and its complications is also decreasing.

However, unfortunately, this does not mean that we were able to achieve complete victory over the infection. The virus is constantly mutating, forming new vaccine-resistant strains.

Now scientists are trying to invent a vaccine that could provide longer-lasting and more reliable immunity from infection. Some of the innovative drugs are already at the stage of clinical trials.

Difficult choice

One of the questions asked by those considering getting a flu shot is which vaccine is appropriate. Only 11 flu vaccines are registered in Russia. There are inactivated (not live) ones - they are used most often, and live nasal ones. Every year, WHO analyzes strains that are dangerous in a particular region and recommends one or another vaccine for vaccination. Each of them differs in the content of a specific strain of the virus and its activity.

It is worth considering that a new vaccine is developed every year, since influenza strains mutate constantly. Specialists from scientific laboratories of Rospotrebnadzor, the Ministry of Health, etc. are studying which variant of influenza is expected in the new season and creating an adequate vaccine. That is why immunoprophylaxis must be repeated before each winter. And this should be done in advance - already in September, so that immunity has time to develop. The epidemic period is believed to last from October to May. To develop an immune response, a period of 14–21 days is needed, so it is recommended to consider getting vaccinated during this period.

Flu: symptoms and prevention

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Who gets the flu vaccine and when?

Influenza vaccination recommendations are as follows:

1. The live vaccine is recommended for children from 3 years of age. All inactivated vaccines (except Flu-M) can be used starting from 6 months of age.
2. If a child under three years of age is vaccinated for the first time, then a half dose of the vaccine is administered twice with an interval of 1 month.
3. The optimal period for vaccination is the end of September. Then immunity will have time to develop in time and will be at its maximum just in time for the surge in incidence.

When is vaccination contraindicated?

An absolute contraindication for the administration of inactivated influenza vaccine is an acute allergic reaction to a previous administration of the drug.

Temporary contraindications include:

• acute inflammatory processes;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases.

It is possible to use the vaccine with the permission of a doctor and under his supervision if:

• pregnancy;
• oncological diseases;
• immunodeficiency states.

Is it possible to get vaccinated if you are allergic to chicken egg white?

Vaccine strains of the virus are grown on chicken egg whites. After cultivation, the drug is thoroughly cleaned of protein residues, but its microparticles are able to penetrate into the finished vaccine.

A number of studies have shown that the vaccine can only be dangerous if a person has an anaphylactic reaction to the eggs. A severe or moderate reaction to the protein does not in any way affect the tolerability of the vaccine. However, the final decision regarding a particular person always remains with the attending physician.