Category: Flu Vaccine

Dr. Leisha Andersen, pediatrician and content specialist for Bright by Text, answers five questions about flu vaccine and children.

1 Is the flu preventable?

Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to protect your child (and yourself) from the flu. Anyone 6 months of age or older is eligible to receive the flu vaccine. If your baby is under 6 months of age, its important that all other family members are vaccinated against the flu to prevent household members from spreading influenza illness to your baby. Two types of flu vaccine are available this year--a shot and a nasal spray (sometimes called the mist).Talk to your childs doctor to decide which type of flu vaccine will be best for your child. You can also limit the spread of the flu by reducing your contact with people who are sick with flu symptoms. Handwashing, covering of coughs and sneezes, wearing a mask, and staying home when youre sick can all help to prevent spreading the flu.

2 Is there a best time to get a flu vaccine?

It takes about two weeks for your body to develop protective antibodies after youre vaccinated against the flu. Therefore, its important to vaccinate as soon as possible to avoid getting (and spreading) influenza. Ideally, your family will get their flu vaccines by the end of October.

3 Can you get the flu from the influenza shot?

Flu vaccines do not cause flu sickness. After a flu vaccine, some people have mild symptoms that go away quickly. If you get the flu, you may be sick for as long as 2 weeks. Flu illness can also lead to complications including asthma attacks, pneumonia, hospitalizations, and rarely death.

4 How can you find free or low cost flu vaccines for your family?

Your childs doctors office will be a good place to get flu vaccines this year. You can also find vaccine opportunities in your community using this Vaccine Finder. To learn about qualifying for low-cost health coverage (which will include coverage of vaccines), check out InsureKidsNow.gov or call (877) KIDS-NOW ((877) 543-7669).

5 How are flu and coronavirus different?

The flu and the coronavirus also have important differences:

a vaccine is currently available for influenza

the loss of taste or smell is more likely with coronavirus

symptoms spread with different timing: Influenza symptoms typically show up 1-4 days after youre exposed to a person sick with the flu, coronavirus symptoms can show up 2-14 days after youre around someone sick with COVID-19.

Ronn Rowland

Read the original here:

5 THINGS: Five questions answered about flu vaccine and children - Muskogee Daily Phoenix

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) reminds residents that flu vaccine plays a key role in staying healthy this fall and winter when flu and other respiratory viruses will be circulating at the same time.

Flu is here, and weve seen a handful of cases in Lincoln and Lancaster County, said Pat Lopez, health director. Now is a good time to get your flu vaccine so your body can build protection before flu season really ramps up.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend flu vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older every year. It is especially important for those at greater risk for serious complications to receive flu vaccine. They include:

Adults with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease;

Children younger than age 5, but especially those younger than 2 years old.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against flu. Flu is a highly contagious disease of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to hospitalization and death. Vaccination can reduce flu-related illnesses, visits to the doctor, missed work and school, and flu-related hospitalizations.

Flu vaccine is widely available in the community. Residents are encouraged to contact a health care provider or find a flu vaccine location at vaccines.gov.

LLCHD provides flu vaccine to uninsured and underinsured adults. Children between ages 6 months through 18 years are also eligible and must meet one or more of these criteria:

Have Medicaid coverage;

American Indian and/or Alaskan Native; or

For more information, call 402-441-8065 or visit health.lincoln.ne.gov and select Vaccine Clinic under Community Health Services.

Updated COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. Flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time.

For more information about seasonal flu, visit cdc.gov/flu.

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

View post:

Health department reminds residents to get flu vaccine - Lincoln Journal Star

You may feel sore, tired, or just rundown after your flu shot, and you may wonder what you should avoid after your flu shot to make sure you don't feel worse. Pain relievers can help with the flu shot side effects. There are few restrictions on what you can eat, drink, or do after getting a flu shot.

This article will explore some dos and don'ts after getting your flu shot.

BackyardProduction / Getty Images

Most medications will not interfere with your flu vaccine or cause problems after you get your shot. It's crucial to take all medications as prescribed, regardless of upcoming or recent flu vaccines.

If you take medications, like steroids, that can suppress your immune system, talk to a healthcare provider about the timing of your doses. They may recommend you choose when your medication is not at its peak to get your flu shot so your body can mount a strong immune response.

Although some experts say over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce pain and soreness at the vaccine injection site, other researchers suggest that these medications may dilute or weaken the protective effects of the vaccine.

Talk to a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your response to the flu vaccine or any interactions with your regular medications.

Similar to the lack of medication restrictions with the flu shot, there isn't much to worry about regarding foods and drinks after getting your flu shot. If you are nauseated or not feeling well after your vaccine, you may choose to avoid certain foods and drinks, but there aren't any items that experts strongly recommend avoiding after immunization.

Experts suggest you avoid drinking alcohol after getting a flu shot. Excess alcohol can impair of suppress immune cell activity.

When you receive your flu shot, you are being given an inactive or synthetic version of the virus, meaning the flu shot does not infect you with the flu. Instead, it exposes your body to inactive viruses so it is able to detect the virus and kill it if you are exposed to the flu. You cannot pass the virus or an influenza infection on to others from the vaccine.

However, you can pass a flu infection that incubated during your immunization.

It takes about two weeks from the time of your flu shot for your immune system to develop adequate protection against flu viruses. If you were already infected at the time of your vaccination or become infected right afterward, there is still a chance you could get sick with the flu and pass it on to others around you.

After getting the flu shot, you can also be infected with other respiratory infections. The seasonal flu shot only protects against certain types of influenza viruses.

The flu shot can make you sore and tired as your immune system works overtime to develop protection against the virus. Extra rest and self-care can help if you are sore or sick after the flu shot.

A 2022 study suggests that exercising after getting a flu or COVID-19 vaccine may improve your protection. The study found that people who exercised regularly mounted a more robust immune response after vaccination. After getting your shot, a single episode of light to moderate exercise can help boost your protection.

If your arm is sore to the point that you can't lift it or you feel faint or dizzy after vaccination, exercise is not recommended. Get rest, and call your healthcare provider if you suspect you have a severe or allergic reaction to your flu shot.

Rest and over-the-counter pain relievers may help if you aren't feeling well after you have your flu shot. Be cautious about using more than one pain medicine at a time, however, and talk to a healthcare provider if you suspect you are having a severe or allergic reaction to the vaccine.

Call a provider or seek immediate care if you experience any of the following signs of a severe allergic reaction:

Exercise, rest, and eating foods that promote a robust immune response will help you feel your best after vaccination. Foods that can help boost your immune health include:

It's also a good idea to avoid factors that can reduce your immune response while your body works to create antibodies after flu vaccination. This includes:

The flu shot offers protection against several strains of influenza, and each seasonal vaccine is developed to target the most common strains in a given year. The flu shot doesn't include a live virus, so you can't get the flu from your shot. Still, you might not feel well as your immune system works overtime to develop antibodies against the virus.

Rest, a healthy and balanced diet, and light to moderate exercise can all help boost your immune response after getting the flu shot. Mild soreness and fatigue is expected, but a little self-care and over-the-counter pain relievers should improve your symptoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who should and who should not get a flu vaccine.

Permanente Medicine. Five ways to reduce flu shot soreness.

University of Rochester Medical Center. Getting a flu shot? Skip the Advil, Aleve for mild discomfort.

Jackson ML, Bellamy A, Wolff M, Hill H, Jackson LA. Low-dose aspirin use does not diminish the immune response to monovalent H1N1 influenza vaccine in older adults. Epidemiol Infect. 2016;144(4):768-771. doi:10.1017/S0950268815002058

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Nutrition and immunity.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu vaccine safety information.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal flu vaccines.

Hallam J, Jones T, Alley J, Kohut ML. Exercise after influenza or COVID-19 vaccination increases serum antibody without an increase in side effects. Brain Behav Immun. 2022;102:1-10. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2022.02.005

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?

See the rest here:

What to Avoid After Flu Shot: Food, Drink, and Meds - Verywell Health

In the height of respiratory season, patients will look to trusted health care providers to help navigate flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

To help guide patients, check out the resources below about these three common respiratory season viruses.

We want to remind patients that a seasonal flu vaccination is the most important step they can take to protect themselves and others against the virus. Everyone 6 months of age and older should be advised to get a flu vaccine each yearincluding those who are pregnant.

Getting vaccinated before the end of October provides the most protection during the height of flu season, so now is the time to encourage patients to get their flu vaccination.

If a patient wants to get a flu vaccination but isnt sure how to get one, they can schedule their flu shot online through MyChart or on uihc.org.

Patients can safely receive the COVID-19 vaccination at the same time as their flu vaccination, or they can space out vaccinations if preferred. Either way, its important to remind them that the vaccine provides the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19.

Everyone ages 5 years and older is recommended to receive one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and this dose should be given at least two months after their most recent COVID-19 vaccination.

The process to get a COVID-19 vaccination through UI Health Care is almost identical to receiving a flu vaccination. Patients can schedule a vaccination appointment online through MyChart or on uihc.org.

At this time, UI Health Care is only offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. There are small amounts of the Moderna vaccine available for those under 5 years old. Ask your pediatrician during a scheduled appointment if there are any in stock that day.

For the first time, there are approved medicines that can protect infants and older adults from RSV, and we want to make patients aware of them.

There is a vaccine available for adults over age 60 and pregnant persons that protects newborn babies. There is also a preventative monoclonal antibody treatment for babies.

Adults over 60 should decide with their doctor if getting this vaccine is a good choice for them. A weakened immune system and underlying chronic medical problems may be a reason to offer the vaccine.

Pregnant persons between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy during the RSV season are recommended to receive the vaccine because the immunity it generates has been proven to protect babies after they are born.

All infants under 8 months are recommended to receive this RSV preventive antibody if born during the RSV season. Children at risk of severe RSV can receive treatment through 19 months old.

Follow this link:

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV: What to share with patients - The Loop - University of Iowa Health Care

TAHLEQUAH As the COVID-19 and influenza seasons ramp up, Cherokee Nation citizens and the public are encouraged to get vaccinations.

In the Tribal Councils October Health Committee meeting, Cherokee Nation Public Health Medical Director Dr. David Gahn provided information regarding COVID and the vaccine. Gahn said it is still unknown whether COVID will be seasonal once a year like the flu or twice a year as seen this year.

The good news is that the bump that we had in August and September wasnt too horrible, he said. People were still getting very sick when they get COVID, sick meaning feeling bad. Our hospitalizations werent overwhelming at all. Our systems could handle that. So, we dont know whats going to happen in the next year. Hopefully itll be seasonal just like the flu, but we could have another peak in the summer next year.

Based on recent research, Gahn said the protection rate is quicker after getting a vaccine.

The recent research Ive looked through is that when we first started getting COVID vaccines and booster, it was two to three weeks, they said, before you were fully protected and now, theyre saying a week because most of us have been exposed and immune system has seen this already so its ready to go to work when you get the current vaccine. In a week you should consider yourself protected, he said.

Tribal Councilor Danny Callison asked why after an individual receives a vaccination, they could sometimes feel sick or have symptoms.

Its not unique to COVID people having symptoms after receiving a vaccine, Gahn said. When you bring your kids and grandkids in to get their vaccines, they get Tylenol before they get the shot because theyll often get a fever afterwards. This is your immune system appropriately reacting to being challenged by a foreign substance. Your body has a really beautiful way of determining self from not self.

Gahn went on to explain that when a foreign substance enters the body, the body determines whether or not it needs to defend itself, and develops memory of that over time.

Your immune system causes inflammation, which can manifest as fever and chills, body aches and pains, runny nose, those things. So, the vaccine can make you feel bad. Thats why we dont encourage anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or aspirin when you get the vaccine. But Tylenol doesnt dampen that immune response, it just helps with preventing the symptoms from occurring, he said.

Gahn added that even if an individual does not develop symptoms, it does not mean his or her body isnt reacting to the vaccine.

COVID and flu shots are available through Cherokee Nation Health Services and can be received at the same time. Visit health.cherokee.org for more information.

See original here:

COVID and flu vaccine information reported to council - Cherokee Phoenix

People 65 years and older are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications compared with young, healthy adults. This increased risk is due in part to changes in immune defenses with increasing age. While flu seasons vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. In recent years, for example, its estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older, and between 50 percent and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group.

The best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications is with a flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are updated each season because flu viruses are constantly changing. Also, immunity wanes over time. Annual vaccination helps to ensure the best possible protection against flu. A flu vaccine protects against the flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. (More information about this seasons exact vaccine composition is available at Vaccine Virus Selection.) Flu vaccines for the current flu season have been updated from last seasons vaccine to better match circulating viruses. Immunity from vaccination fully sets in after about two weeks.

Flu vaccination is especially important for people 65 years and older because they are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Three specific flu vaccines are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older over other flu vaccines. People 65 and older should get a higher dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine, including: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent, or Fluad Quadrivalent. These vaccines are preferred for people 65 years and older because a review of existing studies suggested that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines.

When should I get vaccinated?

For most people who need only one dose of flu vaccine for the season, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against flu. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. Additional considerations concerning the timing of vaccination for certain groups of people include:

Most adults, especially those 65 years and older, and pregnant people in the first or second trimester should generally not get vaccinated early (in July or August) because protection may decrease over time. However, early vaccination can be considered for any person who is unable to return at a later time to be vaccinated.

Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. For those children it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for children who need only one dose.

Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy during those months, because this can help protect their infants for the first few months after birth (when they are too young to be vaccinated).

Source: CDC

See the rest here:

CDC: Flu vaccine best protection against flu - The Robesonian

FRESNO, CA The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) has released theflu clinic schedulefor the 2023-2024 flu season. The FCDPH will be hosting a drive-thru vaccination event at the old UMC parking lot located at 445 S. Cedar Ave. Fresno, CA 93702 on October 21, 2023, from 8:00am 11:00am.

This mass vaccination event helps assess the response of the Fresno County Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program. This event will test the effectiveness of setting up Points of Dispensing (POD) sites and evaluate how the FCDPH can dispense Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) such as flu vaccine to Fresno County residents.

The flu vaccine will be offered at no-cost to Fresno County residents. The FCDPH is inviting media partners to attend the event to collect photos, b-roll, and interviews the day of the vaccination event. Please see the media availability below for more information.

Read more:

FCDPH Drive-thru flu vaccination clinic - The Business Journal

Submitted by the Bedford Health Department

In an effort to protect people who live and work in Bedford from getting the Flu, the Bedford Health Department has scheduled Flu vaccination opportunities.

Clinics are open to people 6 months of age and older however for children age6 months through7 years oldmust have previously received a Flu vaccination in the past. These children should be connected to their pediatricianto obtain their first Flu vaccination. Those ages 8+ that have never received a Flu vaccination, will be asked to wait 15 minutes after receiving the Flu vaccine. The High Dose Flu will be available to those 65+. For clinic and registration information, visit theFlu Clinic Information Communitywebpage. For school-based flu clinic opportunities, visit theFlu Clinic Information School-Basedwebpage.

Appointmentsare requiredand everyone receiving the Flu Vaccine must complete a2023-2024 Flu Vaccine Registration Form. Forms are available by clicking on the link above. Please complete a form for each person getting the Flu vaccination and bring it with you. Blank forms will be available at the clinic if you cannot print in advance. Please be sure to bring your insurance card(s) cards with you. We do ask that you wear clothing that will allow easy access to your shoulder area. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The Health Department hopes to have additional Flu and COVID vaccine opportunities in the future however please click on this link for outside vaccination opportunities available near you:https://www.vaccines.gov/.

Excerpt from:

Bedford Health Department Sends a Reminder About Flu ... - The Bedford Citizen

Photo Submitted

Participants needed for a study examining the effects of the immune system on social perception in the workplace. People's immune system is activated when they are sick or experiencing a stressor, and recent research suggests that it affects people's social behavior as well. Because people often have to make important decisions about hiring and promotions while they are sick or stressed, it is important to examine how the immune system affects people's thought processes about others. In this study, researchers are seeking participants who will be given the flu vaccine to temporarily activate their immune system.

Participants will attend two lab sessions at the UAMS-NorthWest Campus in Fayetteville. Sessions will be 1-1.5 hours long and will take place on two consecutive weekdays at approximately the same time each day. During the first session, half of the participants will get the flu shot and half will get a shot with salt water but no vaccine or medicine (these participants will get the actual flu shot at the end of the second session). Participants will also get their blood drawn, provide a saliva sample and complete tasks and questionnaires about social perception the way people view other people. Participants will also be asked to give their impression of different social interactions. At the second session, participants will again get their blood drawn, provide a saliva sample and complete tasks and questionnaires about social perception.

Eligibility:

Adults ages 18 to 40

Have not gotten the flu vaccine since August 2023

No history of allergic reactions to vaccines

People who have diagnosed illnesses that suppress their immune system should not participate in the study

All potential participants will go through a phone screening to check eligibility

If you are interested and would like more information, please fill out an interest form orvisit sparklab.uark.edu/flushotstudy.

Email IDMstudy@uark.edu if you have questions.

View post:

Boost Your Immunity and Your Wallet! Get Free Flu Shot and $100 ... - University of Arkansas Newswire

Flu and COVID-19 are examples of respiratory diseases that require repeated vaccine boosters to prevent illness. They are a reminder that we need better vaccines that offer improved durability andenhanced breadth of protection against new variants. This article will discuss progress in developing universal flu vaccines, and Part 2 (to follow) will focus on COVID-19 vaccines with similar properties.

Although annual seasonal flu vaccines are invaluable tools for controlling the spread and severity of influenza, they do not provide immunity against every strain of the virus, which constantly mutates, sometimes radically. Numerous attempts over many years to develop flu vaccines that would not require yearly shots to protect against new variants have not succeeded. They would, however, be an important public health advance. Many Americans fail to get flu shots, and the CDC estimates that from 2010 to 2020, between 12,000 and 52,000 people died of flu in the United States annually.

There aretwo ways that flu viruses commonly evolve. One is called "antigenicdrift," which is caused by changes in the surface proteins of the virus, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Those mutations usually produce viruses closely related to one another, which means that antibodies elicited by exposure to one flu virus will likely recognize other viruses that arose from antigenic drift.

Another, more drastic type of change is called "antigenicshift," a major genetic change that gives rise to new, significantly different HA and/or NA proteins in flu viruses that enable them to infect humans. This is more likely to occur when there is co-infection by different viruses for example, human and avian flu viruses simultaneously infecting an animal host giving rise to reassortment of viral RNAs, the formation of a new hybrid virus containing parts from the genomes of two distinct viruses in a mixed infection. The new viruses may be sufficiently different that most people do not have immunity to them.

Such a "shift" occurred in the spring of 2009, when an H1N1 flu virus with genes from viruses originating from North American swine, Eurasian swine, humans, and birds emerged, infecting people, spreading quickly, and causing a pandemic.

Antigenic drift (the two circular genomes at the top) and shift(the reassortment of RNA segments, below), respectively, are illustrated here:

Figure legend: (A) Antigenic Drift (the two circular genomes at the top): Gradual accumulation of mutations in the genome of viruses leads to emergence of new virus variants. Mutations in the HA (blue) and NA (red) can affect the antigenic epitopes leading to antigenically new variants. (B) Antigenic Shift (the four figures below (A)): The exchange/reassortment of genetic segments between two or more infecting viruses in a host cell can lead to emergence of antigenically distinct, new subtypes. Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons.

Therefore, every spring, a group of scientific experts gets together to try to predict which strains are likely to be prevalent during the following flu season (which begins in the fall), and they select three or four of these strains to include in the next seasonal vaccine. Using a variety of platforms, drug companies then produce their versions of the vaccine in preparation for distribution in late summer or early fall.

However, sometimes their predictions are inaccurate, and unexpected changes in the dominant strains of the virus cause immune escape and decreased vaccine efficacy. An effective universal flu vaccine could address these problems by protecting vaccinees against a wide variety of strains and ideally providing durable long-term immunity.

Such a vaccine would have two advantages: It would stop the guessing game about which flu strains will become dominant, and people would not need to be vaccinated yearly. Several clinical research trials to develop universal vaccines are underway; two of the more promising ones are described below.

The results of a small clinical trial of a candidate were published in July in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases. The active, immunogenic moiety of the OVX836 vaccine, which is made by a French company called Osivax, is a recombinant H1N1 nucleoprotein, a protein in viral particles that is not very prone to the mutations that change surface antigens and characterize new strains. Therefore, used as a vaccine, it should be better able to elicit immunity to new virus strains that have arisen by antigenic drift or shift.

In the single-center trial conducted in Belgium, three doses of the OVX836 vaccine induced dose-dependent cell-mediated immune responses. There were four cases of influenza A in the 33-patient placebo group and two in the 104 patients who received the vaccine. The vaccine had a favorable safety profile. But vaccines are typically tested in tens of thousands of subjects before regulatory approval, so its still in its early days.

Another clinical trial of an experimental universal flu vaccine, developed by researchers at the NIHs National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, began enrolling volunteers earlier this year. This very small Phase 1 trial will test the vaccine, designated H1ssF-3928 mRNA-LNP and consisting of messenger RNA (mRNA) encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP), for safety and its ability to induce an immune response.

The trial will enroll up to 50 healthy subjects aged 18 through 49. Three groups of study participants will receive various doses of the vaccine, and another group will receive a current quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine. That will allow a direct comparison between the immunogenicity and safety of the candidate vaccine and available seasonal flu vaccines.

Another complementary approach is to enhance vaccines with adjuvants, chemicals that boost the immune response, making it more rapid and stronger and making possible smaller doses of the immunogen.

The bottom line is that there are several lines of research underway to develop flu vaccines that would be effective against new viral variants that arise. Given the health and economic burdens of flu and Americans resistance to getting yearly shots, the availability of universal vaccines would be an important advance.

Read the original post:

The Holy Grail: A 'Universal' Flu Vaccine | American Council on ... - American Council on Science and Health