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INFLUENZA
(Flu) Vaccine
What is Influenza
- Influenza is a virus
that can cause serious illness and can result in pneumonia and
sometimes death.
- The type of influenza
virus changes every year.
What
is influenza vaccine?
Can
you still get Influenza?
- The vaccine prevents
Influenza in 75% of people. For most others, it reduces the seriousness
of the disease.
- The vaccine does
not provide protection against colds or the “stomach flu.”
Quick
Facts
- Vaccine can help
prevent Influenza.
- Does not protect
against colds or the “stomach flu”.
- No vaccine if person
is severely allergic to eggs.
Who
should get the vaccine every year?
The vaccine is recommended annually for people at greatest risk
of becoming seriously ill from Influenza complications. They include:
- everyone 65 years
and over.
- anyone with chronic
lung disease, chronic heart disease, diabetes, HIV, lowered immunity
due to a medical condition, cancer, kidney disease, severe
anemia.
- all residents and
staff of long term care facilities
- children or adolescents
on long term ASA therapy
People capable of transmitting Influenza to those of high risk as
noted above should also be immunized such as caregivers or staff
of long-term care facilities, hospitals, community nursing agencies.
Who
should not get the vaccine?
- People who have
a life threatening allergy to eggs, or egg products.
- People with a fever
or acute illness.
- People who have
had an anaphylactic reaction to Influenza vaccine.
- People with severe
reactions to vaccine components (eg. thimerosol and neomycin).
How
many doses do I need?
- Children under 9
years of age need 2 doses at least a month apart.
- Everyone else needs
one dose yearly.
What might be felt
after getting the vaccine?
- Most people do not
have a serious reaction. If there are reactions, they usually
start within 6-12 hours and may last 1-2 days.
Mild reactions, (common reactions) may be soreness, redness
and swelling where the needle was given. This may continue for
a couple of days. Warm face cloths will reduce the discomfort.
- Some people may
have muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, stomach cramps, diarrhea
and cold-like symptoms.
- Fever sometimes
occurs 6-12 hours after immunization. If necessary, use acetaminophen
(Tylenol, Tempra or another brand) to reduce fever.
Moderate reactions (not common) fever over 102.2°F (39°C).
Severe reactions (rare) as with any medicine, vaccines carry
a very small risk of serious reaction. Rare but severe reactions
could be difficulty breathing, shock or death.
How
is the vaccine given?
- The vaccine is given
with a needle.
What
should I do after immunization?
- Canadian immunization
guidelines recommend a 15-minute wait after immunization.
- Go to a hospital
emergency if you become moderately or severely ill. Inform them
of the recent immunization.
- Tell the Public
Health Nurse as soon as possible about any reactions.
Who
should I talk to if I need more information?
- A Public Health
Nurse can give you more information about the vaccine.
Before
getting this vaccine, screening will include the following questions:
- Are you sick today?
- Do you have a fever?
- Do you have any
serious allergies including eggs or neomycin?
- Have you had any
reaction to flu vaccine or other vaccines?
- Are you seeing your
doctor about any neurological problems?
If
you have any questions call Renfrew County and District Health Unit,
Infection Control at 735-8651 ext. 515 or 1 – 800 – 267 –1097.
Adapted
from material produced by the Regional Health District, Regina Saskatchewan.
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