What is Flu Vaccine and How Does it Help in Preventing Influenza

Flu vaccine also called as Flu shot is given to prevent people from getting Influenza.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by Influenza viruses. Flu vaccine lowers the risk of getting affected by more than 50%. The effect of Influenza can vary between mild to serious illness including life threatening complications. Younger children, older adults and people with chronic illness are more likely to develop complications due to Influenza.

An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

There are 2 types of Influenza vaccines:

Live attenuated vaccines are not recommended for Influenza 2017-2018 by Centre for Disease Control CDC for this season.

Inactivated vaccines are further divided into two types - Trivalent and Quadrivalent. Both are effective in controlling seasonal Flu caused by Influenza viruses. Because these are inactivated vaccines, there is no virus in the vaccine. Hence the Flu shot does not give rise to Flu.

The vaccine is given intramuscularly in the upper arm. The body produces antibodies against Influenza viruses to fight against it when exposed within 2 weeks.

Children 6 months and older should get Influenza vaccines every year as recommended by CDC in November 2010. It is particularly important for people who are prone to complications due to Influenza.

The high risk people are - children under 5 years of age, adults older than 65 years, pregnant women, people with medical conditions like Asthma, Chronic lung diseases, heart disease, diabetic, chronic liver and kidney disorders, blood related disorders, Neurological disorders, immune compromised and individuals with morbid obesity.

It is given every year because the virus strain changes every year and new vaccine gets produced every year depending upon the prevalent strain as advised by World Health Organization WHO and the vaccine offers protection only for 8-10 months. It should be given in August -September of each year before the onset of Flu season.

Children 6 months to 8 years should receive 2 doses 4 weeks apart when they are vaccinated for the first time. From subsequent year its one shot every year.

It reduces the risk of getting sick due to seasonal Influenza viruses and decreases death and hospitalizations due to Influenza.

Within 2 weeks of vaccine immunity against Influenza develops. It protects against Influenza A H1N1, Influenza B and H3N2. The people in the community get indirectly protected due to vaccination of individuals and decreased spread in the community.

The complication of Influenza especially in high risk individuals can be avoided by vaccination. They will not need anti-viral medications and medical care.