Look closely: Know the facts about influenza vaccination

While COVID-19 has caused serious illness and concern to millions of Americans and residents worldwide, MidMichigan Health experts missed another potentially deadly virus, influenza. I urge you to be careful.

Influenza is a seasonal virus that affects the US population from late autumn to early spring each year. Since 2015, the flu has caused 280,000 to 810,000 hospital admissions in the United States each year, and the virus has killed 23,000 to 61,000 Americans. Fortunately, influenza is a preventable disease because of the annual influenza vaccine. However, only about half of the US population receives the influenza vaccine each year.

Paul Berg MD, President of the Mid-Michigan Doctors Group. Dr. Courtney Pearson, MD, an infectious disease specialist in the Mid-Michigan Physician Group, and Lydia Watson, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Mid-Michigan Health, answer some common questions about influenza vaccines.

How does the influenza vaccine work?

Influenza vaccines work by causing the human body to form antibodies. These antibodies protect the individual from future infections if they are exposed to the actual virus. US vaccines protect against three (“three-valent”) or four (“four-valent”) different strains of influenza virus. When the flu vaccine is given, it takes about two weeks for the body to develop protective antibodies. These antibodies provide protection for months after vaccination. The best time to get a flu shot is in the fall, before the seasonal virus arrives. Most healthcare providers will begin the vaccine in September, but continue to treat it during the flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination against influenza by the end of October.

Who should be vaccinated?

With a few exceptions, everyone over the age of 6 months must get the influenza vaccine every year. Depending on factors such as age, history of allergies, and underlying illness, these individuals may not be candidates for a particular type of vaccine, so these individuals should check with their healthcare provider to determine which vaccine is best for them. .. But the most important fact to remember is that you get the vaccine every year.

Does the influenza vaccine really work?

Yes. Vaccines are effective, but their effectiveness depends on certain factors. Vaccine protection varies from season to season, depending on the “match” between the vaccine and the actual virus circulating in the area. Individual health may also play a role in vaccine efficacy. In general, vaccines are most effective in young, healthy adults and older children. Older people may not have a strong antibody response to the vaccine. Although not perfect, the flu vaccine is a very useful tool in preventing serious illness caused by the flu. Here are some statistics highlighting the benefits of influenza vaccines:

• During the 2018-19 influenza season, the vaccine prevented an estimated 4.4 million illnesses, 2.3 million influenza-related hospital visits, 58,000 influenza-related hospitalizations, and 3,500 influenza-related deaths.

• Influenza vaccination is estimated to reduce the risk of having to see a doctor for influenza by 40-60%.

• A 2018 study showed that between 2012 and 2015, the adult influenza vaccine reduced the risk of being hospitalized in an influenza- infected ICU by 82%.

• A 2017 study showed that influenza vaccination significantly reduces the risk of death from influenza in children.

• Flu vaccination is very beneficial for people with underlying illnesses. It has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiac events in people with heart disease and reduce hospitalization rates in people with COPD, chronic lung disease, or diabetes.

• Flu vaccination is beneficial to pregnant people as it reduces the risk of serious influenza-related lung infections by 50%. It is also beneficial for infants who have circulating antibodies to protect themselves from the disease for months after birth.

Why do some people get the vaccine and get the seasonal flu virus?

Some people may be infected with the seasonal virus because they were infected with the virus within two weeks of receiving the vaccine. Post-vaccination antibody development can take up to two weeks, so exposure to the actual virus during this period can still cause illness. Another reason could be exposure to a virus not included in the seasonal vaccine. There are various strains of influenza virus that are circulating every year. Influenza vaccines are designed to protect against three or four of the most common strains that studies have shown to be endemic in a particular year.

Moreover, the person may simply not have developed a good immune response to the vaccine. Some people, such as the elderly and people with underlying illnesses, do not respond strongly to the vaccine. For this reason, it is important that all individuals be vaccinated. The more young and healthy people are vaccinated, the less likely the virus will spread to more vulnerable individuals.

Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?

No. The flu vaccine does not cause the flu illness. The flu vaccine (flu vaccination), which is given by needle, is currently made in two ways. Vaccines are influenza viruses that are not infectious because they have been killed (inactivated) or are made using the proteins of the influenza virus (recombinant vaccine) and do not cause disease. Nasal spray influenza vaccine is made with a live attenuated (attenuated) influenza virus and does not cause influenza illness. The attenuated virus used in the nasal spray vaccine is adapted to cold temperatures. That is, it is designed to cause mild infections only at lower temperatures in the nose. The virus cannot infect the lungs or other areas where warm temperatures are present.

How about side effects?

Influenza vaccines can have some side effects. Possible minor side effects include injection site pain and redness, headache, fever, muscle aches, nausea and fatigue. Most people do not have these side effects. In such cases, the side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Like any drug, people are unlikely to have serious allergic reactions or complications. This is extremely rare.

Should we focus on COVID-19 rather than the flu?

We certainly need to stay focused on COVID-19, but one way to protect our valuable healthcare resources is to reduce the likelihood of other serious infectious diseases like the flu. is. Ensuring that all healthcare professionals and locals receive the influenza vaccine is a good strategy to reduce the burden of influenza disease on the community. Be vaccinated against the flu and protect yourself and our resources from the deadly virus. This allows us to focus on the risks COVID poses this fall and winter.

How can I tell the difference between the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19?

Both diseases cause respiratory symptoms, so it may be difficult to tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19 symptoms. In addition, both infections can occur at the same time. Testing should be done to determine if the symptoms are due to influenza or COVID-19.

For more information on the influenza vaccine, www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm..

– Victoria Ritter, handled by vritter @ mdn.net