Flu Vaccination
Why vaccinate for flu?
Flu (or common flu) is medically referred to as influenza. It is a viral infection that develops primarily in the lungs thereby affecting the whole respiratory system. It is usually spread from person to person through secretions of the nose and lungs.
Generally, the stretch across November and April is known as the flu season. However, most of the cases occur between late December and early March. Therefore, it is advisable to take the flu vaccine between September and mid-November. Though, it can also be taken at other times of the year, administration of the vaccine before the flu season gives the body a chance to build up the required immunity that protects it from the flu virus.
Flu is a very common illness. Every year in the US, about 5 to 20% of the population gets flu, 200,000 plus people are hospitalized due to flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from these flu complications. Effective flu vaccination at the right time can reduce these numbers and give people a better chance at fighting it off.
- The nasal sprayflu vaccine.
Composition of flu vaccine
The seasonal flu vaccine contains three influenza viruses, one A (H3N2) virus, one regular seasonal A (H1N1) virus (not the 2009 H1N1 virus), and one B virus. However, the viruses in the vaccine are changed every year on the basis of international surveillance and scientists' estimations regarding the types and strains of viruses. It takes about two weeks from the vaccination for the antibodies that protects the body against influenza virus infection to fully develop.
Who should receive the flu vaccine?
Who should receive flu vaccine
Flu vaccines should be given to the following groups of people to protect them from flu and complications arising from flu:
High-risk kids
High-risk adults
How effective is the flu vaccine?
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine. If the viruses in the vaccine match with those in circulation in the body the vaccination becomes very effective.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 30, 2012