The Flu Shot Works To Significantly Reduce Your Risk Of Getting Influenza
Since influenza A and influenza B strains are complex, a small number of people who get their flu shot will still get the flu. But that doesnt mean you should skip getting your flu shot this year. It just means that the vaccine wont make you invincible to everything out there this year.
Influenza is serious and it can lead to complications. Older adults, kids and pregnant women are at a higher risk for the flu. But the flu vaccine protects you and those around you from around half of all flu viruses. The CDC does an incredible amount of vaccine safety testing and monitoring.
How effective is the flu shot? Generally, the flu vaccine can help reduce your risk of getting the flu by up to 60%.
Protect Yourself And Others From The Flu
Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu. The flu shot is safe and available for free to all Nova Scotians 6 months of age and older. You can safely get a flu shot before, after or at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine.
The flu vaccine is available from most family physicians, family practice nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and walk-in clinics. You can contact your public health office if you’re unsure where to get the flu vaccine.
What Are The Symptoms Of The Flu
The first signs or symptoms of the flu may be mild or just seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a nuisance, the signs and symptoms of the flu are usually much worse than those of the cold.
Symptoms of the flu may include some of the signs below:
- Fever or chills
- Vomiting and diarrhea
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What Should I Do To Protect Myself From Flu This Season
People should begin getting vaccinated soon after the 2021 flu vaccine becomes available on April 1st, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins.
However, as long as flu viruses are circulating in the community, its not too late to get vaccinated.
In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine if you have not already gotten vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs.
If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.
Iv5 Additional Vaccine Safety Considerations
Influenza vaccine is safe and well tolerated. Contraindications, precautions, and common AEs are described in Section II. Additional information regarding egg-allergic individuals and GBS is provided below.
Egg-allergic individuals
After careful review of clinical and post-licensure safety data, NACI has concluded that egg-allergic individuals may be vaccinated against influenza using any appropriate product, including LAIV, without prior influenza vaccine skin test and with the full dose, irrespective of a past severe reaction to egg and without any particular consideration, including vaccination setting. The amount of trace ovalbumin allowed in influenza vaccines that are authorized for use in Canada is associated with a low risk of AE. The observation period post-vaccination is as recommended in Vaccine Safety in Part 2 of the CIG. As with all vaccine administration, vaccine providers should be prepared with the necessary equipment, knowledge, and skills to respond to a vaccine emergency at all times.
Refer to the Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2018-2019 for safety data supporting this recommendation for IIV and LAIV.
Guillain-Barré syndrome
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Taking Care Of Yourself: Who Is At High Risk For Severe Disease And Complications
The following are health and age factors that increase a persons risk of getting serious complications from the flu, including death:
- Asthma
- Metabolic disorders
- Morbid obesity
- People younger than 19 years of age on long-term aspirin therapy
- Weakened immune system due to disease or medication
Other people at high risk from the flu:
- Adults 65 years and older
- Children younger than five years old, but especially children younger than two years old
- Pregnant women and women up to two weeks after the end of pregnancy
- American Indians and Alaska Natives
What happens if I get the flu while pregnant?
Changes to your immune system during pregnancy can make you more sensitive to the flu. This can result in serious problems for your unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery. Additionally, fever in early pregnancy can lead to birth defects.
If you get flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately. If necessary, your health care provider will prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat you.
Administering Flu Vaccine During The Covid
Curbside and drive-through vaccination clinics may provide the best option for staff and patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic in communities with high transmission. Read CDCs guidance on drive-through vaccination clinics.
No. Flu vaccination should be deferred for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, whether or not they have symptoms, until they have met the criteria to discontinue their isolation. While mild illness is not a contraindication to flu vaccination, vaccination visits for these people should be postponed to avoid exposing healthcare personnel and other patients to the virus that causes COVID-19. When scheduling or confirming appointments for flu vaccination, patients should be instructed to notify the health care professionals office or clinic in advance if they currently have or develop any symptoms of COVID-19.
Flu vaccination should be deferred until a patient is no longer acutely ill. This may be different for patients who are already being cared for in a medical setting than it is for patients who are isolating at home. In a medical setting, the timing for vaccination is a matter of clinical discretion. In general, patients who are isolating at home should wait until they meet criteria for leaving isolation to come to a vaccination setting in order to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others. CDC has guidance for when people can be around others after having COVID-19.
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The Best Flu Vaccine If You Have Egg Allergies
Many flu vaccines are made using chicken eggs called egg-based vaccines. While most people with egg allergies are still able to receive egg-based flu vaccines, there are rare instances where they can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. If this is the case for you or if youre concerned, Flucelvax Quadrivalent and Flublok Quadrivalent are two egg-free flu vaccine options.
Ii5 Choice Of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
The decision to include specific influenza vaccines as part of publicly funded provincial and territorial programs depends on several factors, such as cost-effectiveness evaluation and other programmatic and operational factors, such as implementation strategies. Not all products will be made available in all jurisdictions and availability of some products may be limited therefore, officials in individual provinces and territories should be consulted regarding the products available in individual jurisdictions.
With the availability of influenza vaccines that are designed to enhance immunogenicity in specific age groups or given through a different route of administration, the choice of product has become more complex.
Choice of influenza vaccine by age group
Recommendations for individual-level decision making
- NACI recommends that influenza vaccine should be offered annually to anyone 6 months of age and older who does not have contraindications to the vaccine. Table 2 provides age group-specific recommendations for the age-appropriate influenza vaccine types authorized for use in Canada.
Recommendations for public health program-level decision making
- NACI recommends that any of the age-appropriate influenza vaccine types available for use may be considered for people without contraindications to the vaccine. Table 2 provides age group-specific recommendations for the age-appropriate influenza vaccine types authorized in Canada.
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Children Less Than 6 Months Old
It is not recommended to vaccinate children aged less than 6 months. Indeed, the effectiveness of the vaccine has yet to be proven for children that age. The vaccine is therefore not offered to them.
However, children under 6 months of age can also catch the flu. Furthermore, they are among those who are more at risk of being hospitalized after the flu. Therefore, vaccination is recommended for members of the same household and informal caregivers of children under 6 months of age to avoid passing on the flu to them.
If you are a member of the same household or the informal caregivers of a child under 6 months of age, you can get vaccinated free of charge under the Flu Vaccination Program.
Seasonal Flu And Covid
Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus and seasonal flu is caused by infection with one of many influenza viruses that spread annually among people.
Because some symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, people may need to be tested to tell what virus is causing their illness. People can be infected with both a flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time. In general, COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. Compared with people who have flu infections, people who have COVID-19 can take longer to show symptoms and be contagious for longer. This FAQ page compares COVID-19 and flu, given the best available information to date.
Yes. It is possible to have flu and other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this is. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Diagnostic testing can help determine if you are sick with flu or COVID-19.
Your health care professional may order a test to help confirm whether you have flu or COVID-19 or some other illness. Get more information on COVID-19 and flu testing and symptoms of COVID-19 and flu.
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Why Do I Need A Flu Vaccine Every Year
Flu viruses can change from year to year.
Every year, experts gather information from global, year-round surveillance of circulating flu strains and use this information to identify which flu strains should be included in seasonal flu vaccines for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Learn more about flu, its symptoms, and the vaccines that help prevent it. To share information about flu and flu vaccination with your friends and family, click the link below to view and download VYFs social media graphics and handouts.
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How Much Influenza Vaccine Is Projected To Be Available For The 2021
Flu vaccine is produced by private manufacturers, so supply depends on manufacturers. Vaccine manufacturers have projected that they will supply the United States with as many as 188 million to 200 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2021-2022 season. These projections may change as the season progresses. All flu vaccines for the 2021-2022 season will be quadrivalent . Most will be thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced vaccine and about 18% of flu vaccines will be egg-free.
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Which Flu Vaccine Is The Most Effective
When flu vaccines are being produced, the strains included are standardized by the FDA. Each 2021-2022 vaccine includes:
-
Two type B viruses
This means that no matter what vaccine you choose, youre being protected against the same strains. Flu vaccines are typically between 40% and 60% effective from year to year. But when it comes to picking the right flu vaccine for you, you have to take other factors into account.
Its More Important Than Ever
Getting the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19, but its important to protect yourself and others this flu season.
Theâ¯Flu Facts page on Ontario.caâ¯has information to help you identify if you have the flu, a cold or COVID-19.
Remember that influenza spreads easily, especially during the peak season running from late fall to early spring.
Symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever
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Winter Flu Vaccine To Be Made Available Free Of Charge To All Adults Over 50
The winter flu vaccine will be available free of charge to all adults aged 50 and older, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced.
He said the extension of eligibility to adults between 50 and 64 was being taken on the advice of the national immunisation advisory committee , to reduce the spread of the flu in the community.
Given that Covid-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses continue to co-circulate, this is an important measure to reduce the risk of flu compounding the winter pressures on the health system this season, he said.
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE said: Flu is highly infectious and can sometimes cause severe complications, such as bronchitis, pneumonia or encephalitis. While some complications are rare, they are still possible.
Getting the flu vaccine is your best shot at protecting yourself and those around you this flu season. We have asked you to get your booster vaccine to protect against COVID-19, and now were pleased to be in a position to offer you a free flu vaccine as well. We have seen extraordinary levels of flu vaccine uptake with older people, and encourage the same enthusiasm in the over 50s age group.
The vaccine will be available at participating GPs and pharmacies and can be given at the same time as a Covid-19 booster.
When Will The Flu Shot Be Available
The flu shot availability really varies by province, some offering as early as September, however, most provinces begin vaccinating in October. You should consider being vaccinated prior to the spread of influenza, and because it takes two weeks for the vaccine to take effect, we suggest getting vaccinated early in the fall, prior to the end of October. Some children may require two doses of the flu vaccine, and should begin immunization as soon as possible.
Whether you have questions about your prescription medications, over-the-counter products, immunizations, or other health concerns, our pharmacists and registered dietitians are here to help.
The information provided is for personal use, reference and education only and is not intended to be a substitute for a physicians advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional for specific information on personal health matters.
The information included in this recording is correct as of August 27th, 2021
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Ii7 Vaccine Safety And Adverse Events
Post-marketing surveillance of influenza vaccines in Canada has shown that seasonal influenza vaccines have a safe and stable profile. In addition to routine surveillance, every year during the seasonal influenza vaccination campaigns, PHAC and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Vaccine Vigilance Working Group of the Canadian Immunization Committee conduct weekly expedited surveillance of AEFIs for current influenza vaccines in order to identify vaccine safety signals in a timely manner. Refer to the Canadian Adverse Events Following Immunization Surveillance System web page for more information on post-marketing surveillance and AEFIs in Canada.
All influenza vaccines currently authorized for use in Canada are considered safe for use in people with latex allergies. The multi-dose vial formulations of inactivated influenza vaccine that are authorized for use in Canada contain minute quantities of thimerosal, which is used as a preservativeFootnote 15,Footnote 16 to keep the product sterile. Large cohort studies of administrative health databases have found no association between childhood vaccination with thimerosal-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental outcomes, including autistic-spectrum disordersFootnote 17. All single dose formulations of IIV and LAIV are thimerosal-free. Refer to Vaccine Safety in Part 2 of the CIG for additional information.
Common adverse events
Less common and serious or severe adverse events
Other reported adverse events and conditions
Who Should Get An Influenza Vaccine
- Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a yearly influenza vaccination with rare exception.
- Vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk of serious illness from influenza and those able to transmit or spread influenza to those at high risk. In B.C., the influenza vaccine is provided free to these people.
- You can find a list of people eligible for a free inactivated influenza vaccine in the HealthLinkBC File: Inactivated Influenza Vaccine.
- Anyone who is not eligible for a free influenza vaccine can purchase it at most pharmacies and travel clinics.
- The vaccine is usually given as 1 dose. Children under 9 years of age who have never had a seasonal influenza vaccine need 2 doses. The second dose of vaccine is important to raise their level of protection and should be given 4 weeks after the first dose.
Live attenuated influenza vaccine
Children 2-17 years of age who are eligible for an influenza vaccine can receive FluMist® Quadrivalent by nasal spray.
You can find more information here.
High-Dose influenza vaccine
What are the benefits of getting the vaccine?
The vaccine is the best way to protect against influenza, a serious and sometimes fatal infection. When you or your child get vaccinated, you help protect others as well by reducing the spread of the influenza virus.
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Free Flu Vaccine To Be Extended For Those Aged 50
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has today announced the extension of the Flu Vaccination Programme.
The seasonal flu vaccine and its administration is being made available free of charge to 50-64 year-old adults for the 2021/2022 vaccination programme.
The vaccine will be available at participating GPs and pharmacies and can be given at the same time as a COVID-19 booster.
Minister Donnelly said: I am delighted today to announce the extension of the flu vaccination programme. By making the seasonal flu vaccine available free of charge to all adults aged 50-64, we are helping to protect you against flu and to reduce its spread in the community. This extension, which is in line with NIAC recommendations, is intended to further limit demands on health services for flu related illnesses over the winter months.
The influenza vaccine will be provided free of charge in 2021/22 if one:
- is 50 years of age and over
- is pregnant
- is a child aged 2 to 17 years
- is a healthcare worker
- is an adult or child aged 6 months or older with a long-term health condition, for example:
- was born with Down syndrome
- lives in a nursing home or other long-term care facility