What you Need to Know
Why Influenza Immunization Is Important
Influenza is a serious and potentially deadly disease that is easily spread in the general population, however, the rates of infection are highest among children.
Influenza vaccination is safe and effective and is the best way to prevent contracting the virus.
Influenza can worsen chronic medical conditions or cause serious complications in people with a variety of chronic illnesses. Vaccination can therefore be especially beneficial to both children and adults with certain chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease and compromised immune systems.
Widespread vaccination of children may interrupt influenza transmission to others, since influenza outbreaks usually begin in children and then move to the community at large.
The annual seasonal influenza vaccine does not provide protection against avian influenza. Seasonal influenza continues to pose a far greater danger to individuals in the United States than avian influenza.
When People Should Receive Influenza Immunization
In the United States, the influenza season may begin as early as September and end as late as May. The influenza season usually peaks around February, so getting immunized throughout the fall and winter is beneficial.
One vaccination a year is all that is needed to protect against influenza, except for children younger than 9 years of age who need two doses at least one month apart the first year they are being vaccinated.
Circulating influenza viruses usually change from year to year. Because of this, a new vaccine is made each year to protect against the viruses most likely to be in the community.
The influenza vaccine is effective only for the current season, so it is important to get vaccinated every year.
Individuals should contact their health care professional to request the influenza vaccine for their children, themselves and other household contacts. Many health care professionals administer the vaccine. Local hospitals, health clinics, retail stores and even some employers may also hold vaccination clinics.
Who Should Receive Influenza Vaccination
Anyone wishing to reduce his or her risk for influenza should ask a health care professional about receiving an annual vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for the following groups:
- All persons who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others
- All children from 6 months through 18 years of age
- Anyone 6 months of age and older with certain chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, asthma, heart disease, compromised immune system)
- Pregnant women
- People who live with, care for or come into close contact with persons at risk, including children younger than 6 months of age and individuals with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity
- People 50 years of age and older
- Health care professionals
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
Who Should Avoid Influenza Vaccination
Individuals who have had a severe reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to eggs or egg proteins or a previous influenza vaccine-associated allergic reaction should avoid immunization.
People who have developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously should avoid immunization.
People with acute febrile illnesses (high fever) should usually wait until their symptoms subside. However, vaccination can proceed during minor illnesses, with or without fever.
Safety of the Influenza Vaccine
The injectable vaccine is made from an inactivated, or killed, virus and cannot transmit infection. This vaccine is licensed for use in all persons 6 months of age and older, regardless of health status. The nasal-spray vaccine is made from live, attenuated (weakened) virus.
The most frequent side effect of the injectable influenza vaccine is soreness at the injection site for one to two days. Occasionally, some people experience a period of mild fever and fatigue for a day or two following immunization.
The most common side effect of the nasal vaccine is runny nose. Other side effects include cold-like symptoms, such as headache, cough, sore throat, tiredness or weakness, irritability and muscle aches.
Content furnished by the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC) established by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)
