GET YOUR FLU VACCINE

This is the time of the year for adults and children to be given the annual Flu Vaccine.

WHY THIS TIME OF THE YEAR?

The Respiratory viruses are largely winter viruses and are more transmissible in the cold winter
months.

Taking a vaccine now will prevent you from catching the Flu this winter season – it takes about two to three weeks before the immunity from the vaccine starts.

As we have now learnt so well with Covid-19 respiratory viruses are known to mutate. The vaccine manufacturers isolate the latest strains of the viruses and prepare and new vaccine each year – this should be injected in October or November to prevent against the Flu in the winter season.

WHAT DOES IT   PROTECT AGAINST?

The most common Flu vaccines contain Four ingredients – the Quadrivalent vaccine.

Most of the current Vaccines prevent against

  • Influenza A – H1N1 and H3N2
  • Influenza B – two strains

WHO SHOULD TAKE IT?

The Flu vaccine can be taken by any one above 6 months of age.

Our earlier recommendations were for children between 2 and 6 years of age and vulnerable elderly as well as the very old.

Currently we have changed the recommendations- any one above 6 months of age should take it.

The reason is that with Covid-19 still prevalent in large parts of the world it would be safer to be vaccinated against other respiratory viruses :-

-        Since the winter Flu symptoms are the same as Covid-19 it would be difficult to distinguish the two.

-         Getting Influenza in the winters would reduce your immunity and make you more prone to catch Covid-19 (specially for the vulnerable elderly).

There is a subset of population for whom the Flu vaccine is more urgently needed:-

 -         Children 2-6 years of age

-         Pregnant ladies

-         Persons with accompanying illnesses/ co-morbidities


o    Diabetics

o    Transplant recipients

o    Asthmatics

o    Overweight

o    Elderly who were admitted for Pneumonia the previous winter

o    Immune compromised – e.g. cancer patients on Chemotherapy etc

 

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE

 -         It offers immunity to the extent of about 60% of those who take it. However , other benefits include a milder Flu in case you do get it and much less mortality (in the elderly).

 -         Though the vaccine does not cause Flu you may experience Flu like symptoms like muscle cramps, body-ache for 1-2 days after the shot

 -         The immunity against Influenza starts after about 10 to 14 days of taking the vaccine.

 -         Children being vaccinate for the first time may need two doses spread out about 4 weeks apart for optimal coverage

 -         The Covid vaccine can be taken along side the Flu vaccine

The only contraindication to the Flu vaccine is a strong allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO IN THE COMING WINTER SEASON?

As the authorities are ready to lift all restrictions including the very effective mask mandate, our recommendations are :-

-          Avoid crowded places

-          Use hand sanitizers when required – especially after outside exposure

-          Wear a mask in indoor places that are crowded

-          Eat healthy nutritious food and exercise regularly to keep your immunity strong

 

Dr (major) rajesh bhardwaj

For Vaccination enquiries kindly call 9871150032

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