CDC – Seasonal Influenza Flu – Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

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CDC – Seasonal Influenza Flu – Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

9/28/09 - Drew Vics

I was never one to really worry to much about stuff. I go about my business, take advice from people who know better, and generally trust the opinion those who are smarter than me about certain things, especially when it comes to illness and remedies.

Today I overheard a conversation about people feeling ill after getting the flu vaccine. That can happen, but it’s not the flu causing the symptoms, and people should not refuse to get vaccinated because they think the vaccine is making them sick. It is not. Side effects can occur. But the virus used in vaccines is dead in the case of injected vaccines, and substantially weakened in the case of nasal spray vaccines.

There is an agency called the Center for Disease Control (CDC), I’m sure you’ve heard of it. The CDC is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, and it’s primary objectives are to make sure that the public is alerted, informed, and protected when it comes to illness. So far they’ve done a terrific job. The CDC is fronted by scientists and doctors, you know, those people who know better.

So, if you’re looking for facts, what better place to go than the place where they need to stay on top of such things?

I’ll quote from the CDC website itself:

There are two types of vaccines:

The “flu shot” — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Each seasonal influenza vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one regular seasonal A (H1N1) virus (not the 2009 H1N1 virus), and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

The seasonal flu vaccine will not provide protection against 2009 H1N1 flu.

And this, on side effects:

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)

Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:

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 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, people who think that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

cough

The nasal spray (also called LAIV or FluMist®): The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)

In children, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include:

runny nose

wheezing

headache

vomiting

muscle aches

fever

In adults, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include

runny nose

headache

sore throat