Category: Flu Vaccine

Pharmaceutical companies will supply a record number of seasonal influenza vaccine doses this winter to inoculate 70.4 million adults, a health ministry estimate showed.

The move comes as the flu is spreading in Australia, which is already in winter, raising fears of a possible simultaneous outbreak of the novel coronavirus and the flu during the winter in Japan as well. It would further strain the health care system.

Studies showed it is safe to receive COVID-19 andfluvaccine shots at the same time, said Satoshi Kamayachi, an executive board member of the Japan Medical Association, at a news conference on Aug. 31.

Kamayachi, who is also a member of the ministrys expert panel on vaccination, said there was a need to set up medical institutions where people can be inoculated against the novel coronavirus and the flu, making for an efficient rollout of the vaccines.

The ministry presented the figure on flu vaccine supplies at a meeting of the panel on Aug. 31.

The data showed shipments of flu vaccine doses will cover an estimated 33.4 million people on Oct. 1. It would be enough to inoculate most of the roughly 36.4 million people aged 65 or older in the nation, according to the ministry.

Concerns about a possible outbreak of the flu during the novel coronavirus pandemic were also raised in Japan two years ago.

The nation averted that scenario as many people took precautions against the novel coronavirus, including disinfecting their hands and wearing a mask.

Thatmay not be the case this winter, however, since the government has eased anti-virus restrictions on both domestic and overseas travel.

(This article was written by Kai Ichino and Hayato Murai.)

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Pharmaceutical firms to supply record doses of the flu vaccine | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis -

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by Park MacDougald

Masked students at Berkeley

Early on in the pandemic, a handful of far-sighted critics warned that if Americans were to accept mask mandates, vaccine passports, and other restrictions to deal with the supposedly unprecedented threat of Covid-19, there would be no way for them to resist future efforts to strip them of basic rights in the name of public health.

After all, the justifications offered for Covid mitigation measures that you have no right to make personal decisions when those decisions can affect others have no limiting principle. There is no a priori reason why they could not be used to rationalise punitive taxes on citizens who dont go to the gym (and therefore burden health systems) or quarantines for people exposed to influenza (who might pose a danger to the immunocompromised). As the essayist Helen Andrews wrote last August:

- Helen Andrews

Now, most jurisdictions in the United States have rolled back the vaccine passports they debuted last year, although there is no telling what they might do in the face of a new BA.5 surge later this year. No law prevents a return to passports, the infrastructure is already in place, and the citizenry has shown that it is willing to comply.

But for evidence of the ratchet in action, we can look to American college campuses, some of which are moving forward with vaccine mandates for influenza that were pioneered last year, when most of the country was paying attention to other things.

On Monday, the author Jennifer Sey noted on Twitter that for the upcoming school year, the University of California, Berkeley, has an indoor mask requirement for anyone who has not received a flu vaccine. Pursuant to an October, 2021 executive order from the University of California president, Michael Drake, all students, faculty, and staff in the University of California system some 500,000 people must either receive a flu vaccine or observe additional non-pharmaceutical interventions such as masking and routine testing.

The University of California system is not alone. Johns Hopkins University requires flu vaccines for all students and staff. Cornell and Barnard College required them last year, though, in Cornells case, that requirement seems to have been dropped for the coming semester (Cornell broke ground in another way, by mandating flu vaccines for white students only.) At the time, these mandates were enacted because students with flu symptoms could mistake it for Covid-19 and overwhelm testing sites. But in a twist that should surprise no-one, today, with transmission low and most students triple- if not quadruple-vaccinated, the mandates are in most cases remaining in place.

Perhaps it is a good idea to get the flu vaccine, although their efficacy varies greatly by year, with last years clocking in at an abysmal 16%. But prior to 2021, no American government, university, or employer outside extremely narrow settings like the healthcare industry had ever thought to require universal flu vaccination or force the unvaccinated to wear face coverings. And for good reason: until very recently, such demands would have been considered an intolerable violation of freedom, not to mention a highly symbolic endorsement of fear, neurosis, and conformity. Indeed, experts at the time generally warned that masks were ineffective.

But the past is a different country. Today, in Americas deepest blue enclaves, the only limits on authoritarian experiments in public health are a lack of bureaucratic imagination and the costs of ensuring compliance. Since the former has proven to be no limit at all, the latter will have to increase for the ratchet to ever stop.

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Next stop: mandatory flu vaccines - The Post - UnHerd

PETALING JAYA: More Malaysians, especially those aged above 65, should take their flu vaccines and be on guard against the infectious disease, say health experts.

Immunisation4Life programme technical committee chairman Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail said that not many people were taking up the flu vaccine.

We plan to launch a campaign to raise public awareness on the need for people to undergo flu vaccination, especially senior citizens who face a higher risk as flu is highly contagious, he said when contacted yesterday.

The campaign, known as the Preventing the Flu at 65 & Beyond campaign, will be launched together with the Health Ministry and other partners on Sept 7.

Dr Zulkifli said the flu cases in Malaysia mainly involved young children and those above 65 years old.

If you have any underlying conditions such as heart disease, the flu can precipitate heart attacks among the older groups.

So that is why we are trying to raise awareness, he added.

In July, there were reports of outbreaks of influenza at two boarding schools in Subang Jaya, Selangor and Ipoh.

However, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the country were under control despite several clusters involving boarding schools being detected.

He explained that the public, especially parents, did not have to worry as it was only a common infection and would emerge from time to time, apart from patients only needing monitoring and isolation.

Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the elderly were considered a high-risk group compared to others in the population.

The elderly are prone to get infections and complications. If they can afford to get the flu vaccine, they should take it, he added.

He said the flu virus was airborne, That is why its easy for the flu to be transmitted if one person in a household or office has it. We need to continue to mask up, especially in crowded places, to avoid the flu.

He also said other than vaccination, personal hygiene would play an important role in preventing the spread of flu, adding that a strong immunity system could help prevent the flu.

More here:

Seniors, take the flu vaccine - The Star Online

Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines

Yes, influenza and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses and so need different vaccines.

It is recommended to get the influenza vaccine in readiness for the influenza season. This will minimise the possibility of contracting both influenza and COVID-19 infection at the same time and provide greater protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Therefore, they need different vaccines.

The COVID-19 vaccine does not protect against influenza, so you should still have an influenza vaccine.

It is best to wait until you have fully recovered from COVID-19 before getting the influenza vaccine.

For further information, contact your immunisation provider.

Yes, you can now get your influenza vaccination at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccination (co-administered on the same day) as advised by the Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI).

Studies show that co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines is safe and producesa good immune response.

Read more detailed guidance about COVID-19 vaccines and influenza vaccination (external site).

Speak with your immunisation provider to check what is right for you.

Read more about the COVID-19 vaccine.

When is the best time to get the influenza vaccine?

For best protection against influenza, people are strongly advised to get the influenza vaccine every year. The influenza virus is constantly changing and the vaccine changes accordingly.

The optimal time to get vaccinated is usually Autumn as this provides protection in time for the peak influenza season (usually winter). However, it is never too late to get vaccinated as influenza can circulate in the community all year round.

After vaccination it can take up to 2 weeks to develop immunity and protect you from influenza.

Who can receive a free influenza vaccine?

Everyone over 6 months of age is encouraged to get vaccinated against influenza.

Some groups of people are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza and are eligible to receive a free influenza vaccine:

Note: The vaccine is free for the groups above, however patients may be charged a consultation fee. Check costs when making an appointment.

Influenza vaccination is also recommended for people who:

The influenza vaccine is highly recommended for at-risk groups.

Influenza vaccination may be required for certain occupations and industries (external site).

Is there anyone who shouldn't get the vaccine?

The only reason not to have an influenza vaccine is following a severe (anaphylactic) reaction to a previous dose of influenza vaccine, or to any component of any vaccine. Allergic reactions to an influenza vaccine are rare. Speak with your immunisation provider for advice.

If you are unwell, talk to your immunisation provider about whether to reschedule your vaccination.

Also tell your immunisation provider if you have ever had Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS, a severe illness causing muscle weakness). They will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you. People with a history of GBS have an increased likelihood in general of developing GBS again, and the chance of them coincidentally developing the syndrome following influenza vaccination may be higher than in persons with no history of GBS. Diagnosis of GBS is complex and must be made by a specialist.

Is the influenza vaccine safe?

Yes. All vaccines available in Australia pass strict safety testing before being approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (external site). AusVaxSafety is a national program to monitor the type and rate of reactions to each year's new influenza vaccine. Learn more at NCIRS (external site).

Learn more about vaccination safety.

You cannot get influenza from having an influenza vaccine as it does not contain live or killed virus.

It is possible to be exposed to influenza viruses shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two week period after vaccination that it takes the body to develop immune protection. This exposure may result in you becoming ill with influenza before protection from the vaccine takes effect.

People may also mistake symptoms of other respiratory viruses for influenza symptoms. The influenza vaccine only protects against influenza disease, not other illnesses.

Where can I get vaccinated?

What can I do if I have an adverse reaction after influenza vaccination?

Some people experience common reactions such as pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, low grade temperature, muscle aches and/or drowsiness. Any medicine, including the influenza vaccine, can have potentially serious side effects, such as severe allergic reaction. However, the risk of this is extremely small.

Learn more about the possible side effects of immunisation.

Seek medical advice if symptoms continue or get worse.

Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance System

The Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance System (WAVSS) is the central reporting service in WA for any significant adverse events following immunisation.

If you have experienced an adverse reaction to a vaccine:

Why do I need to get the influenza vaccination every year?

The influenza virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine changes every year to ensure protection against the most recent and common circulating strains.

The formulation of influenza vaccines used in Australia is determined each year by the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee based on information and recommendations from the World Health Organisation.

There hasnt been much influenza in WA, do I need to get vaccinated?

It is important to remain vigilant with influenza. After two years of border closures and public health measures from the COVID-19 pandemic, WA is facing a resurgence of influenza circulating in the community.

Both viruses circulating at the same time could have severe consequences for vulnerable people and place increased pressure on health systems at a time of year when hospitals are often at their busiest.

Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from serious disease caused by influenza. By getting vaccinated against influenza, you can also help protect other people, especially people who are too sick or too young to be vaccinated.

The more people who are vaccinated in your community, the less likely the disease will spread.

I'm healthy and rarely get sick. Why do I need the influenza vaccine?

Even healthy people can get very sick from influenza.

While we have taken great care in practicing social and public health measures over the last 2 years, we need to continue protecting those who are at serious risk of complications if they get influenza such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions. If they get influenza, complications may include high fever, pneumonia, worsening of other illnesses and in some cases death.

By getting vaccinated each year, you help to protect these vulnerable people from getting sick with influenza, as well as those who are unable to be vaccinated themselves (e.g. children under 6 months are too young to get vaccinated against influenza).

Last reviewed: 01-08-2022

Public Health

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

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Influenza (flu) vaccine

DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) The North Georgia Health District will offer drive-thru flu shot clinics again this fall.

They are for people 18 or older.

Here are the dates and locations in our area:

Whitfield:Tuesday, September 20th, 9 A.M. 2 P.M., Whitfield County Health Department, 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720. Call (706) 279-9600 for more details.

Murray:Tuesday, September 27th, 9 A.M. 3 P.M., First Baptist Church, 121 West Market Street, Chatsworth, GA 30705. Call (706) 695-4585 for more details.

Fannin:Tuesday, October 11th, 9 A.M. 5 P.M., The Farmers Market, 811 Summit Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Call (706) 632-3023 for more details.

The vaccine is free for anyone covered byMedicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare, and others.

If you pay out-of-pocket, the cost is $25 for the regular flu vaccine and $65 for the high-dose vaccine (for people over 65).

Now, as COVID-19 and the especially contagious variants of the virus continue spreading in our communities, it is more important than ever to protect against the flu, reducing the dangerous risk of having both illnesses at the same time.

Read the original here:

Drive thru flu vaccines return this fall for Dalton & Chatsworth - WDEF News 12

By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: In the wake of a spike in H1N1 swine flu cases in the last few days, medical experts are advising people to take a dose of the seasonal influenza vaccine.Referring to recent instances of patients getting Covid-19 or dengue along with swine flu, doctors are stressing the need to get flu shots.

Speaking to Express, Dr VV Ramanaprasad, a consultant pulmonologist at KIMS Hospital, said: "Some patients are developing high fever and not responding to the general medicines. If tested, their X-ray or CT scan shows a typical viral shadow in their lungs."

The H1N1 swab tests of approximately 30 per cent of such patients are returning positive.As the patients are reporting two or more diseases together, the doctors have become more careful about diagnosis, not labelling any infection as Covid-19.

An endemic swine flu disease is observed every year during monsoon season. However, there was a drop in cases in the last two to three years.We have been asking patients to take seasonal influenza vaccine each year to avoid swine flu infection. We are recommending the same this year too, said Dr Surender Reddy, a pulmonologist at ESIC hospital.

Meanwhile, Dr Ramanaprasad suggested people over 50 years of age with comorbidities or chronic lung infections to take adult vaccination.These vaccines are available free of cost at almost all government hospitals.

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As H1N1 cases rise, experts ask citizens to get the 'flu shot' - The New Indian Express

The numbers as at 13 August 2022

It is not too late to get your flu jab. You can catch the flu all year round. Getting the flu vaccine helps reduce your risk of getting really sick or having to go to hospital.

Funded eligibility for the flu vaccine has recently been extended. Flu vaccines are free for those people most likely to get very sick people who are over 65 years of age; Mori and Pacific people over 55 years of age; pregnant people; children aged 3-12 years old, and those with underlying and other health conditions.

To keep your child and whnau healthy this winter, its important they have a flu vaccination, and are also up to date with their other vaccinations, including COVID-19 andMMR.Tamariki aged under 9 may require two doses of the flu vaccination, 4 weeks apart, if they have not had it before.

We encourage everyoneto get afluvaccination if they are not yet immunised.

We also remind peopleto stay home if they are unwell, regardless of their COVID-19 test result. Staying home when unwell is one of the most important public health measures to prevent transmission of all respiratory illnesses.

Data may vary from week to week as flu records are updated.

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7297 flu vaccines administered in the last week - Ministry of Health

As of today (22 August), the booking portal (nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines) will be available to frontline health and social care workers to book appointments for their COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

Dr Tim Allison, Director of Public Health for NHS Highland, said: We are vaccinating some health and social care workers against COVID-19 to protect the most vulnerable patients. Those who dont have face to face contact with vulnerable patients do not need a COVID-19 vaccine at this time.

Its vital that you take up the offer of vaccination it protects you and those you support against serious COVID-19 infection.

Members of the public aged over 65 will be contacted directly by letter with a scheduled appointment for their COVID-19 and flu vaccination.

Dr Allison said: We anticipate that letters for the over 65s will be with you shortly and the first clinics will take place mid-September.

If youre eligible for both the COVID-19 and flu vaccine this winter, they will be given at the same time where possible. Getting both together is safe and will deliver maximum protection over the winter months.

If you are unable to attend your vaccination appointment please cancel and reschedule. This will allow us to offer the appointment to someone else.

More information on winter vaccines can be found here.

Read the rest here:

Winter Vaccination Campaign to start in Highland - NHS Highland

Covid vaccines are likely to become like influenza jabs, that are tweaked every year and offered to vulnerable people every autumn, according to a leading vaccine developer.

Professor Robin Shattock of Imperial College London says there are two approaches to next generation vaccines; the annual flu jab approach and the Holy Grail of the one-vaccine-fits-all-variants approach.

In the same way that the influenza vaccine is updated every year and given to the vulnerable population, an annual vaccine could be given for Covid as well, said Professor Shattock, a pioneer of the same RNA vaccine technology that is used by the Moderna and Pfizer jabs.

It would be tweaked each year just like the flu jab I think thats the most likely scenario in the medium term, he says.

This option is pretty effective, he argues. Even better, however, is the idea of a universal Covid jab although if the quest for a university flu vaccine is anything to go by, we shouldnt hold our breath.

The thing that people are trying to go after is to get a vaccine that will cover all variants. This gets people very excited and obviously is something that people should go for.

But he added: They have been trying to do the same thing for influenza for the past 20 years, so its not to say that its impossible but its also unlikely to be developed in the short term.

One can always have an exciting breakthrough that will change everything but I think in the next few years its going to more likely be updating the vaccine, rather than that weve suddenly discovered a universal coronavirus vaccine.

However things pan out in the coming years, it is likely that the Covid jab, like the flu vaccine that will be administered at the same time, will essentially is used to reduce hospital admissions, not to control transmission.

That is because, given the expense and resources needed to run a vaccination campaign, the main aim is not so much to eliminate all infections but to reduce the risk of serious illness when infection strikes.

Moreover, total elimination of infections isnt feasible because Covid jabs will only prevent a minority of infections but it will prevent the vast majority of severe cases.

With this in mind, Professor Shattock argues that, were the autumn booster campaign to be broadened out to the whole population, it would be less important for any additional groups to have the jab although clearly any reduction in infections is a good thing.

But its likely that any immunity built up from prior infection and vaccination will protect them against severe illness for some time to come, experts said.

Excerpt from:

Covid jabs will have to be tweaked annually like flu until universal vaccine is discovered - iNews

NHS Fife made the call as youngsters returned to school after the summer break.

All primary and secondary school pupils are eligible for the vaccine, which is given in schools as a painless nasal spray.

NHS Fife said vaccination against flu reduces the chances of them missing class time and other activities due to illness and helps prevent them passing the illness to vulnerable family members.

Consent packs containing a letter, leaflet and consent form will be sent home to parents and carers of school children on return to school.

Secondary pupils can self-consent, though they are encouraged to speak to a parent or carer first.

Letters with appointment details for children aged two to five years who are not yet at school will begin to arrive at homes from September.

The nasal spray is a quick and painless way of delivering the flu vaccine to children and should start to provide protection within 10-14 days.

Dr Esther Curnock, consultant in public health medicine, said: Getting the nasal spray flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child and those around them.

The flu virus changes over time so your child needs to get the vaccine each year to help stay protected.

The message was backed by Maree Todd MSP, Public Health Minister.She said: Flu can be serious, even for healthy children, so the vaccine offers the best possible protection for your child and those around them who may be more vulnerable to flu. Getting your child vaccinated can help prevent them getting sick, from spreading flu, and requiring time off school and away from other activities.

School children will receive the flu vaccine in school between September and December. Parents of two to five-year-olds who are not yet at school will be given information about where their child will be vaccinated in their appointment letter.

In a small number of cases, the nasal spray may not be suitable, and the vaccine can be given as an injection.

Read more here:

Flu in Fife: Parents urged to get children vaccinated ahead of winter flu season - Fife Today