‘Flu Vaccine – Your Questions Answered



|Flu Vaccine – Your Questions Answered |

This leaflet is designed to answer your questions about ‘flu vaccinations. It is advised that you read this leaflet before your vaccination.

Who is the vaccine for?

• Front line Health & social care workers

• The ‘flu vaccination is especially useful for people considered by the Department of Health to be ‘at risk’ from the ’flu infection and can get the vaccination from their GP (chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart problems, spleen removed, kidney problems, over 65’s)

• Pregnant women

How does the ‘flu vaccine work?

The vaccine causes your body to produce antibodies against the ‘flu virus so that when your body is exposed to the ‘flu virus, it is able to defend itself and stop you getting the illness. Every year, a different type of influenza virus causes large numbers of people to become unwell with ‘flu. The vaccination protects against the varieties of seasonal ’flu strains likely to cause the most illness this year.

After vaccination, your body takes 10-14 days to produce these antibodies, whereas the incubation period for ‘flu is just a few days. Therefore if you are exposed to the ‘flu virus immediately before or after the vaccination you could still develop the illness.

Please note that the ‘flu vaccination will not protect you against the common cold viruses, even though some of the symptoms are similar.

How often do I need to be vaccinated?

‘Flu viruses change continuously, therefore different vaccines are developed each year. To stay protected against seasonal ‘flu, you should be re-vaccinated every year before the winter season.

Will I experience any side effects?

The seasonal ‘flu vaccine is made from viruses grown in chicken eggs. The viruses are killed and only the parts that protect against ‘flu are used in the vaccine, therefore side effects are very few. You can’t get ‘flu from a ‘flu vaccination.

Most people will not get side effects. The side effects that a small proportion of people may experience include: Commonly reported reactions following administration of inactivated flu vaccine include: low grade fever, headache, fatigue, and redness, swelling and discomfort at the injection site. These effects may develop between 6-48 hours after immunisation, and should only last a couple of days.

If you experience any symptoms not mentioned above, please tell occupational heath or your doctor.

When is it not advisable to have the ‘flu vaccination?

• Chicken/egg allergy

If you are allergic (anaphylactic reaction) to chicken or eggs then you should not have the vaccination. This is because the ‘flu vaccine is made from viruses grown inside chicken eggs. Many years of experience have shown that people who are allergic to feathers should have no problems with the vaccination and can be immunised.

There is no egg-free flu vaccination for the 2018/19 flu season. Please contact Occupational Health to enquire about ability to have a low egg content vaccine.

• If allergic to gentamicin/neomycin

As the vaccine may contain traces of neomycin (Sanofi), neomycin & kanamycin (Fluad trivalent for over aged 65) it should be avoided if you are sensitive to this particular antibiotic.

If you are sensitive to penicillin, however, you should be able to receive the ‘flu vaccination.

Latex – There is no latex in the flu vaccine, however those with a severe latex allergy should avoid Fluad trivalent vaccine for over aged 65.

Gelatine – there is no gelatine in the adult flu vaccines.

• Fever or high temperature

Vaccination should be postponed if you are suffering from a high temperature (from a cold, viral illness) or other infection

• Shortly to have elective surgery

If you are to have elective surgery requiring a general anaesthetic, a vaccination is best avoided to avoid any potential cross reactivity to the anaesthetic.

Can I have the vaccination if I am pregnant or still breast-feeding?

Yes. Pregnant women can have the vaccine at any stage of pregnancy, it is advocated in pregnancy, but if you are concerned please discuss it with your GP or midwife who has your full obstetric history. The ‘flu vaccination can be given to a breast-feeding mother. The vaccine is not a live vaccine, so the virus cannot be passed from mother to baby.

Occupational Health, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust 22nd August 2018

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