Should you get a flu shot: the pros and cons

With the onset of the cold season, people increasingly begin to consult doctors with symptoms of an infectious disease such as influenza. This disease spreads with lightning speed among groups, often taking on the character of an epidemic process. Children are most susceptible to the influenza virus, in whom the disease can occur in a complex form and provoke the development of life-threatening complications. Therefore, immunologists advise early in the fall to get a flu shot, which can protect against the penetration of pathogenic agents or transfer the disease in a mild form.

The flu shot is not included in the national vaccination schedule. Despite this, doctors often recommend immunization against influenza to avoid infection during the annual flu epidemic. This vaccination has many supporters who are convinced of the effectiveness of the vaccine and its complete safety. At the same time, there is a diametrically opposite opinion. Anti-vaxxers not only do not believe that a flu shot will protect them from a dangerous disease. They attribute to the vaccine a huge number of side effects that negatively affect overall health.

What exactly is the flu shot? Which harm is rated higher: the occurrence of undesirable consequences of vaccination or infection with influenza? Should pregnant women and small family members get a flu vaccine?

General information about the influenza vaccine and how it works

Few people know, but influenza is one of the most dangerous infections that annually claims the lives of tens of thousands of sick people around the globe. Today, this type of cold can be prevented with one vaccination. Modern influenza vaccines are divided into two groups:

1. Live vaccines. They contain weakened pathogens or viruses that do not exhibit pathogenicity, but contribute to the formation of temporary immunity to influenza.
2. Inactivated vaccines. This type of preparation contains killed influenza viruses that are not strong enough to provoke the formation of signs of a post-vaccination disease.

Inactivated drugs are created by purifying influenza viruses grown in chicken embryos from various impurities. There are several types of this type of vaccination that protects against influenza, namely:

• whole-virion preparations or vaccines, which contain pathogenic viruses themselves;
• purified vaccines without any lipids or chicken protein particles (split suspensions or split vaccines);
• subunit vaccines, consisting of two components that form an immune response.

It is important to understand that the flu solution is not a cure. That is, this solution is not able to get rid of viruses from someone who is already sick with the flu. The only purpose of the flu vaccine is to develop immunity against the disease. This protection mechanism allows us to minimize the risks of possible infection of the population and prevent the formation of severe complications of influenza infection.

Immunity to influenza after vaccination lasts from six months to a year. Therefore, if a person does not want to encounter influenza pathogens throughout his life, he must undergo a new vaccination every year.

How does the vaccine work?

The introduction of an inactivated virus (or its parts) into the body causes the production of antibodies of different types, which makes it possible to create a multi-level system of protection against influenza, and since influenza viruses have similar structures to acute respiratory infections viruses, the Anti-influenza antibodies produced after vaccination also protect the body from acute respiratory infections - with an effectiveness of 50-60%, the number of cases of pneumonia and exacerbations of chronic diseases is reduced. Within two weeks after vaccination, anti-influenza antibodies accumulate in the body and it becomes immune to the disease. Protective proteins recognize the virus and destroy it, preventing it from multiplying.

Sufficient immune reactivity of the body lasts for about 6 months (according to other sources - up to a year), which ensures its high resistance to the influenza virus throughout the entire epidemic season. The effectiveness of immunization with modern influenza vaccines is 70-90% and depends both on the specific vaccine, the conditions of its storage and transportation, and on the epidemiological situation at a particular time, on the characteristics of the baby’s body and other factors. That is, the likelihood that a vaccinated child will get the flu still remains, but at the same time he will get it in a mild form and without developing complications.

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Should I get a flu shot?

There are many arguments in favor of the flu shot. The main argument confirming the need for vaccination is the fact that there is no etiotropic (antiviral) therapy. Indeed, modern scientists have not yet been able to invent an effective medicine that kills viruses. Therefore, today all viral diseases are treated exclusively symptomatically.

Why is it important to get vaccinated? The answer is on the surface. Influenza is an acute disease of viral etiology that is transmitted by airborne droplets. Without vaccination, a person runs the risk of catching an infection even on public transport or while talking with a sick person. The disease has a short incubation period (up to 72 hours). All this time, the symptoms of the disease do not appear. But pathological changes are already occurring in the body. Influenza multiplies quickly and easily penetrates the lining of the upper respiratory tract. It is relatively resistant to low ambient temperatures and strikes people with weakened immune systems with lightning speed.

Vaccination is necessary for a number of reasons:

• rapid spread of viruses in groups;
• the tendency of viral agents to mutations and the appearance of other types of pathology;
• complications in the form of inflammation of the lung tissue, meningitis, encephalitis, complex dysfunction of the kidneys and endocrine glands;
• ineffectiveness of treatment in later stages;
• high mortality rate among patients.

People who are considered at risk should consider getting a flu shot:

• children, especially kindergarten students and secondary school students;
• elderly people;
• long-term ill people with reduced immunity;
• persons who suffer from chronic diseases of internal organs and endocrine pathologies;
• kindergarten teachers, school teachers and clinic workers;
• members of organized teams.

Myths surrounding flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations have appeared relatively recently, and therefore their use is surrounded by incorrect judgments, and sometimes identified with untenable hypotheses.

The most common misconceptions about the flu vaccination procedure:

• Helps reduce the immune status of the body.

  The development of such a situation is, in principle, impossible, since the body’s defenses increase within 3 weeks after vaccination. A weakening of immunity can be observed only six months after the vaccination procedure. The situation is completely different if the flu shot was given during a cold. In this case, the disease is progressive in nature, with a large number of negative manifestations.
• Lack of effectiveness. The inconsistency of these judgments is refuted by repeated clinical trials, which have shown the positive effects of the vaccine in 80-90% of all cases.
• It is not necessary to vaccinate annually. This opinion is completely absurd, since strains of the influenza virus have the ability to mutate annually, and therefore the “old” vaccine will not protect against the flu.
• The vaccination is especially dangerous during pregnancy; it should not be used in childhood or old age: Pregnancy is, on the contrary, an indication for the flu vaccination procedure. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is limiting its use in the first trimester of pregnancy.
• In children, the immune system completes its development during adolescence. Therefore, to reduce the likelihood of colds, vaccination with a flu shot is a good solution to this problem.
• Older people are more likely to suffer from influenza (approximately 10 times more likely than younger people). And therefore, vaccination will reduce the likelihood of developing influenza viral infections.

Flu vaccination today raises many controversial issues. Since the opinion of scientists was divided into two camps. Some argue that it needs to be done, others testify to its uselessness.

Moreover, both some and others have compelling arguments. In each case, the patient must make an independent decision - to get vaccinated or refuse.

But at the same time, one should take into account statistical data that shows that people who have been vaccinated against influenza go to the hospital half as often as those who have not been vaccinated.

Vaccination dates

Immune protection against influenza is developed within 14-28 days. Therefore, in order to catch up before the start of the epidemic period, a person is encouraged to be immunized in the first months of autumn, namely in September or October. It makes no sense to administer an anti-flu remedy during the winter months, since the immune defense simply does not have time to form.

The injection should be given exclusively in institutions where there are conditions for carrying out such procedures. Most often, vaccination is carried out in a clinic. In some cases, a flu suspension can be injected in rooms specially equipped for this purpose, located in kindergartens and schools, in enterprises and hospitals. Influenza vaccination can be provided for a fee in private clinics that have permission to provide immunization.

As a rule, vaccination against influenza pathology is planned in advance. Her plan covers people at risk. To prevent them from getting sick, the junior staff of the clinic compiles lists of potential “victims” of the infection and offers them to be immunized. People who want to get a flu vaccine, but are not among the potential patients, can get a flu shot for a fee.

The anti-influenza suspension should be administered subcutaneously. But there is another option. The vaccine can be injected intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle area (scapula area). The injection can only be given to healthy people who, after a medical examination, have not revealed any health problems.

Is it possible to get sick after vaccination?

Sometimes people who have had a flu vaccine get sick, but this has nothing to do with the vaccine. This can happen if a person has become infected with some kind of virus from outside or has caught a cold.

Since the incubation period of most infections ranges from several days to a week, often people who come for immunization do not even know that they are already sick, a little later blaming everything on the consequences of the vaccination.

Flu immunization during pregnancy

Today, the issue of the danger of the influenza vaccine for pregnant women has not been studied, since, for obvious reasons, such experiments have not been carried out on them. Doctors advise women to get vaccinated at the stage of planning pregnancy. If indicated, the vaccine can be injected after the 13th week of gestation. At this point, only the inactivated drug is used. In the first trimester of pregnancy after vaccination, the risk of congenital defects in intrauterine development or early miscarriage increases in the unborn baby.

Immunologists suggest giving the flu vaccine to women during breastfeeding. The point is this. At this moment, the young mother’s body needs additional protection, and vaccination allows her body to synthesize antibodies to the flu. These immune complexes penetrate into the child’s body with mother’s milk and protect him from possible damage by viruses during the neonatal period.

Pros of vaccination

Understanding how the flu shot works, we can highlight the main positive aspects of vaccination:

• reduces the risk of infection by 60%;
• minimizes the likelihood of complications and death;
• if the majority of residents of a certain locality are vaccinated, there is no risk of an epidemic;
• The vaccine costs less than medications used to treat influenza.

Important. The peculiarity of the virus is that it constantly mutates. However, scientists are monitoring its circulation. By the end of April, they can predict which strain of influenza is attacking a certain state. Based on these data, a vaccine is being developed. In addition, it includes components of several viruses.

Doctors convince that if scientists have not “guessed” the strain, the vaccine will still protect. In this case, its main benefit is that it will allow you to suffer from a mild form of the disease, or the person will not feel the symptoms of the flu at all.

Active production of interferons and immunoglobulin will also ease the course of other acute respiratory viral infections and minimize the likelihood of complications.

Flu vaccination for young children

The influenza virus has the ability to spread very quickly in children's groups. Often in children the disease occurs in a severe form with various complications. Given this fact, pediatricians continue to recommend that parents vaccinate their children against influenza starting at six months.

Vaccination has a number of features, in particular:

• The vaccine is administered to children in the thigh area, which allows a tourniquet to be quickly applied in case of immediate allergic reactions;
• It is not customary to vaccinate newborn babies until they are six months old (babies are protected by maternal immunity up to six months);
• The child is given the vaccine twice, which allows for a more pronounced reaction.

Flu vaccination is a common occurrence for children in kindergartens. Its features include:

• Preschool children are vaccinated free of charge;
• It is better if all healthy children in the group are vaccinated at once;
• Ideally, parents of kindergarten students are also recommended to be immunized against influenza;
• After the injection, it is better to protect the child from visiting crowded places;
• Vaccinated children should eat well and be outdoors regularly.

School students can get a flu shot free of charge if the vaccine is received in sufficient quantities at a medical institution. Manipulation is carried out exclusively with tested and certified vaccines. As a rule, the state purchases enough of them each year, so they are not in short supply.

Types of influenza viruses

Virologists distinguish three types of influenza viruses:

• Virus A – affects birds, in rare cases dangerous to humans;
• B is a typical cause of seasonal morbidity in people
• C causes influenza, which occurs in a mild form, with minor catarrhal manifestations without complications.

If the viruses remained “pure”, classically isolated, then there would be no problems with them: a vaccine once created would make it possible to forget about the flu in the same way as, say, the plague or cholera.

However, influenza viruses have the ability to interbreed and mutate, releasing new strains into the world to which humans have no immunity.

Pandemics, when we are talking about the death of millions of people, are caused by virus A. Its main carriers are waterfowl: ducks, geese, seagulls. And if in birds the disease manifests itself as a sluggish intestinal infection, then in humans it is a severe respiratory disease with the highest mortality rate.

See also on the blog: Memo to parents: what vaccinations are given to children and at what age

In nature, influenza B and A viruses are constantly changing. If the virus were unchanged, then a person who has had the flu would receive lasting, lifelong immunity.

The protein molecules of the viral shell interbreed, change structure, and the person again and again finds himself defenseless. “Bird” and “swine” flu are nothing more than variations on the theme of animal viruses that are extremely dangerous to humans.

It should be noted that pigs are easily infected with “human” flu, and are also capable of catching some types of avian virus. As a result, a pig is an organism in which a strain of influenza virus appears that is infectious to humans.

Influenza B viruses do not infect birds, and therefore do not cause epidemics; changing annually, B viruses cause seasonal surges of influenza.

Against the background of all of the above, a logical question arises: is vaccination necessary? And should you get a flu shot if the virus turns out to be more cunning again?

Contraindications to vaccination

Each vaccine has its own limitations, which, if ignored, can lead to a number of complications. The flu shot is a direct confirmation of this. Strict contraindications to the administration of an immune drug are:

• individual intolerance to one of the components of the vaccine (allergy to chicken protein);
• age up to six months (days when mother’s antibodies continue to circulate in the baby’s blood).

Influenza vaccination is postponed for some time if the patient has characteristic manifestations of an acute respiratory disease or exacerbation of a chronic pathology. In this case, it is recommended to wait until complete recovery or stable remission. Oncological diseases, immunodeficiency and post-surgical conditions are not indications for exemption from immunization. On the contrary, people with these conditions should consider getting a flu shot because their bodies are susceptible to infection.

Who should get vaccinated against influenza?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended vaccination against influenza as the only real way to protect the vaccinated person from this infection and the possibility of creating herd immunity. WHO has identified groups of people who need vaccination (with their consent, of course). This risk group also includes children:

• often sick;
• those suffering from chronic respiratory diseases (for example, bronchial asthma) and/or having malformations of the respiratory system;
• suffering from diseases and/or malformations of the central nervous system;
• with congenital and/or acquired heart defects, heart rhythm disturbances;
• with kidney diseases (chronic glomerulonephritis, chronic renal failure);
• with blood diseases;
• those suffering from endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus);
• with immunodeficiency conditions;
• children being treated with drugs that suppress the immune system;
• as well as children attending child care institutions.

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Side effects and consequences of immunization

The number of those wishing to be immunized against influenza has been increasing in recent years. But there are still many people who are concerned about the frequent complications of the procedure. It must be remembered that if everything is done correctly, then the risk of developing unwanted reactions is minimized.

In most cases, the vaccine is well tolerated by the body. Despite this fact, after vaccination, the vaccinated patient must be monitored for half an hour. This will allow you to suspect the development of “side effects” in time and carry out their treatment.

After this vaccination, the immunized person may experience the following reactions:

• slight increase in body temperature;
• hyperemia of the oropharynx;
• runny nose, sore throat, and other cold symptoms;
• local redness and swelling at the injection site;
• myalgia;
• allergic reaction.

Such pathological manifestations after vaccinations disappear on their own within two to three days. In rare cases, the patient may need to take antihistamines or antipyretics.

A complicated reaction to the influenza vaccine is extremely rare. They occur in 0.00005% of cases. Among such pathological disorders are anaphylactic shock, angioedema, convulsions, meningitis, as well as viral encephalitis and vasculitis.

Vaccination reactions

Modern influenza vaccines cause relatively few vaccination reactions (a variant of the normal course of the period after vaccine administration). Live vaccines rarely cause a slight, short-term increase in temperature. Inactivated whole cell vaccines can also cause a short-term increase in temperature and swelling at the injection site. Subunit preparations and split vaccines extremely rarely cause weak vaccination reactions in the form of mild soreness at the site of vaccine administration.

Considering the weak reactogenic properties of influenza vaccines, their administration can be combined with the use of other vaccines (in different syringes).

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Things to remember when getting the flu vaccine

Since the flu shot is sometimes complicated by undesirable effects, it is important to stock up on medications that help cope with the unpleasant consequences of the injection. The most necessary among them are antipyretics (medicines for fever), antiallergic medications, sedatives and painkillers.

A vaccinated person undertakes to follow simple rules that allow him to maintain health and develop a sufficient protective reaction. After a preventive flu vaccination, you should not drink alcoholic beverages, which have a detrimental effect on the function and activity of the liver. Proper nutrition and complete avoidance of fatty foods will help improve the situation. During the post-vaccination stage, you should not eat spicy and savory foods, citrus fruits, or chocolate, which can potentiate allergies.

In the first days after the procedure, it is important to avoid visiting places where people infected with influenza may meet. You should also not visit the pool, sauna, take a bath or swim in natural bodies of water at this time.

When the temperature rises

One of the common phenomena of the post-vaccination period is an increase in body temperature - this indicates activation of the immune system. Almost every vaccinated child faces this problem. What should parents do in this case? The instructions are:

If the thermometer readings do not reach 38⁰C.

There is no need to resort to the help of traditional or traditional medicine and bring down the temperature. In this case, antipyretics can harm the child’s body.

If the temperature is above 38⁰C.

It is necessary to give the child Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Parents should remember that Aspirin irritates the gastrointestinal tract and creates a burden on the child’s fragile digestive system. Therefore, this antipyretic drug is contraindicated after vaccination.

Young, inexperienced parents make the mistake of wrapping their child in warm clothes and a blanket when the temperature rises. This should not be done, as the baby is at risk of overheating.

It is better to leave light clothing on the child or completely undress him and cover him with a thin sheet.

Please note : if the temperature persists for 2-3 days, this is a good reason to call a doctor.

Main types of vaccines

Today, the pharmaceutical market offers consumers a wide range of flu shots. Choosing an appropriate means of preventing influenza is the task of the attending physician. Therefore, before using the vaccine, it is imperative to visit a specialist who can make a decision in favor of one or another prophylactic solution.

All modern flu vaccinations are usually grouped depending on their composition:

• live vaccines of domestic and foreign production, intended for oral use (contain several strains of weakened viruses);
• whole virion suspensions based on chicken protein (prescribed only to school-age children, as well as adults);
• split flu vaccines or split solutions without a protein component (indicated for people with allergies and young children);
• subunit antiviral serums.

All these vaccines are well tolerated by patients if they follow the recommendations of specialists responsibly. By refusing a vaccination, a non-immunized person must understand that along with it, they are depriving themselves of protection against aggressive strains of influenza. Vaccination is especially important for representatives from high-risk groups. A correctly administered vaccine prevents several problems at once. Firstly, a vaccinated person does not risk losing her ability to work due to infection with the virus. Secondly, he is not dangerous to his close circle. Thirdly, in immunized people the virus is not capable of causing serious health problems in the form of severe pathology with complications or death.

Benefits of vaccination

According to statistics, annual preventive vaccination against influenza significantly reduces the incidence of the population. In addition, vaccination is capable of:

• Protect against complications that are much more dangerous than the flu itself;
• Stimulate the body’s immune reactions, thus protecting against other viral diseases;
• Alleviate the course of the disease when infected

Modern vaccines are highly purified medical preparations. Therefore, the risk of complications after vaccination is minimized.

Possible side effects: runny nose, slight congestion in the throat and nose, slight rise in body temperature, headache, general malaise.

Who is recommended for preventive vaccination?:

• People who, due to the nature of their work, come into contact with a large number of people. These are teachers, medical workers, educators, sellers, employees of train stations and airports, etc.;
• Women planning to become pregnant, pregnant (2nd and 3rd trimesters), lactating;
• Children and students;
• To old people;
• Children and adults with lesions of the central nervous system, pathologies of the cardiovascular system, kidney diseases, lung diseases, endocrine disorders, diseases of the immune system

During pregnancy, lactating women, as well as young children, subunit vaccines should be used for vaccination.

How long does the vaccine last and where can it be done?

You should be vaccinated annually, since antibodies to the influenza virus, formed 9-12 days after vaccination, lose their activity and are destroyed after 6-12 months (depending on the vaccine).

In addition, the updated vaccines include fragments of viruses expected in the “new season,” which provides additional protection.

See also on the blog: DTP vaccination for children: vaccination schedule

The vaccination can be done in a clinic at the place of work or residence, in medical centers, in enterprises with medical units. Children and adults at risk are vaccinated free of charge.

Official representatives - parents or persons replacing them - must give their consent to vaccinate a child.

Pros

In addition, there is a list of contraindications in the presence of which the flu vaccine cannot be taken. The reasons for medical withdrawal are:

1. Allergy to vaccine components and chicken protein;
2. Chronic diseases in the acute stage;
3. Children's age (depending on the type of vaccine)

Some vaccines are contraindicated in pregnant women and during lactation.

For nasal administration, contraindications include rhinitis, nasal congestion, general malaise, and elevated body temperature.

To refuse vaccination, you must express your disagreement verbally or in writing.

There is a lot of speculation and rumors surrounding vaccinations, so it is worth answering the most common questions related to the flu shot.

• Is it possible to wet the vaccine? Recommendations about whether or not to wash after vaccination apply directly to the injection. A small wound remains at the injection site, the impact of which, be it water, rough clothing or scratching the skin, can lead to infection and inflammation. For this reason, it is recommended not to wet the forearm for the first 24 hours. If the vaccine is administered nasally, you can swim on the same day.
• Can I drink alcohol after vaccination? There are no restrictions on this matter, but doctors recommend protecting yourself from excessive physical, mental and emotional stress, so you should not abuse alcohol. However, like any other day.

Whether to get vaccinated against the flu or not is something everyone has to decide for themselves. Parents make decisions regarding their minor children, and therefore bear double responsibility.

Vaccine advocates advocate universal vaccination. Opponents advise not to escalate the situation and calmly expect a surge in colds. And it may not happen if at least half of the population is forced to get vaccinated against the flu. How are you preparing to welcome the ARVI season?

To evaluate the pros and cons of flu vaccination, you should consider its features:

1. Vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee. There is a risk of infection, however, the disease is tolerated more easily and without complications;
2. Vaccination does not create stable immunity. The immunity created through vaccination disappears after 3–4 months. We also must not forget about the ability of the virus to mutate, creating new strains every 2 to 3 months. That is, the emergence of new varieties by the end of winter is quite likely.

Conclusion: vaccination is not a panacea; it only reduces the likelihood of infection and severe complications.

Vaccination can be recommended for persons in the following categories:

• constantly staying in a room with a large team;
• for those for whom it is extremely undesirable to take sick leave at work for economic reasons or because of high responsibility;
• tourists traveling to tropical countries: in such regions the risk of getting sick exists all year round;
• pregnant women over 14 weeks;
• young mothers during breastfeeding.

Doctors note the particular relevance of influenza vaccination for children under 2 years of age, since influenza is especially dangerous for them: disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, otitis media with subsequent hearing loss, and pneumonia are possible.

Doctors strongly recommend vaccinating infants under 2 years of age against influenza.

Rarely, Reye's syndrome develops, ending in coma (symptoms include clouding of consciousness and vomiting). According to pediatricians, 85% of vaccinated children become resistant to influenza. Those who do get sick experience the disease much more easily compared to those who are not vaccinated.

The flu vaccine is especially important for the following children:

• those who are in poor health and often suffer from acute respiratory infections;
• those suffering from chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
• HIV-infected;
• having diseases of the hematopoietic organs, cardiovascular and endocrine systems, kidneys.

Vaccinations for children and pregnant women are given only with inactivated vaccines.

There is no point in purchasing the vaccine:

1. already sick with the flu;
2. children who do not attend kindergarten, subject to vaccination of relatives in contact with them;
3. during a flu epidemic.

The pointlessness of vaccination during the “flu period” is explained by the following:

• it takes 10-14 days to develop immunity;
• in conditions of vaccination during an epidemic, the virus from the vaccine can aggravate the effect of the present one during infection.

Vaccination during an epidemic is permitted if the patient can afford a 2-week quarantine.

The optimal time to start immunoprophylaxis is 30-45 days before the onset of winter cold.

Those who have a severe allergy to previous vaccinations should not be vaccinated. If the allergic reaction was mild, you can get vaccinated, but first consult with your doctor.

Also, you should not get vaccinated during illness or during exacerbation of chronic diseases. There are no other contraindications.

Not all doctors agree with the benefits of vaccination. There are often cases when seasonal vaccination greatly weakens the immune system, and those vaccinated do not stop getting colds throughout the fall and winter. Some then complain of worsening allergies, intercostal neuralgia, or problems with hearing and vision.

Doctors who are opposed to flu vaccinations believe that vaccination does not have a lasting effect. In addition, the vaccine is a bioactive material, the quality and effectiveness of which depends on many factors, such as manufacturing and storage conditions. And finally, it is completely impossible to predict how the body will react to the invasion of the pathogen virus. The immunity “nurtured” after vaccination may not only not work, but, on the contrary, become more fragile and vulnerable.

It makes no sense to get a flu shot, especially when the season has already begun and literally all people have physiologically weakened immunity to one degree or another, since by this action we undermine it even more. It is known that in the fall there is not just one flu, but thousands of different viruses, which are also transmitted by airborne droplets. If you further weaken your immunity through vaccination, you can collect a whole bunch of diseases by protecting yourself from just one.

And to strengthen your own immunity, it is better to go to the sea before the “viral” season, spend more time outdoors and play sports, opponents of vaccinations say.

Do you need a flu shot? Many doctors believe that yes, especially for those for whom complications of the disease can be dangerous: children, elderly people with serious chronic diseases. Some experts claim that even if there is a mistake with the strain, the vaccine still works. Even if it is not as effective, even if it is not one hundred percent, it will still protect against the flu, and a vaccinated person, even if he gets sick, will survive the infection much easier. And most importantly, there will be less risk of complications.

More advantages

At the moment the vaccine is administered, the body begins to gather strength and respond with protection against all infections at the same time. It turns out that the vaccine not only protects you from the flu, but also has an immunomodulatory effect, that is, it keeps the body “in good shape” so that it does not get sick with something else.

Vaccination is a fairly quick and relatively painless procedure. It allows you to get rid of the need to take medications for the flu and endure all its symptoms. In addition, the flu vaccine can save time spent on treating the disease and recovering from it.

When should you get vaccinated?

The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention names the optimal timing of vaccination: early September - late October. Does this mean that it is too late to vaccinate this season? Not at all. The main rule is to vaccinate before the outbreak of the epidemic. The period for developing immunity against influenza is quite short - up to 2 weeks, so it is quite possible to make it in time. It is not worth getting vaccinated too early, for example in the summer, since the developed immunity weakens over time. But there is no need to delay either: usually by the end of December the vaccination campaign ends, and so does the free vaccine.

The importance of flu vaccination for children and adults

The influenza virus mutates and creates new strains every year. But they all migrate around the planet along long-studied routes, which makes it possible to predict which species will appear in a particular region by the beginning of winter, when people are most vulnerable to the disease.

Two types of vaccinations are available:

1. with a live attenuated virus;
2. with virus fragments (inactivated vaccine).

Having received such samples, the immune system produces antibodies, and the body remains healthy. Thanks to antibodies, infection will not occur with the appearance of a full-fledged virus.

According to experts, vaccination allows you to:

• reduce hospitalizations by a third;
• halve mortality.

When 60% of the population is vaccinated (the experiment was conducted in Yekaterinburg), the number of sick people does not reach the epidemic threshold. If children are vaccinated, the number of mothers going on sick leave is halved. Due to the similarity of the protein structures in the shell of different strains, if infected with another type of virus, the vaccinated person will tolerate the disease more easily.

What contraindications may there be for vaccination?

Flu vaccination has various types of contraindications. These restrictions depend on the composition of the drug (for example, whether it uses weakened or killed virions). Bans can be introduced for a certain period of time or indefinitely. There are also other characteristics by which they belong to separate categories.

True

These include the restrictions described in the annotation for the drug, as well as medical documents on the development, organization of immunization activities, and guidelines for healthcare institutions. More often they refer to certain components of the vaccine.

False

Or “contrived” by patients and illiterate medical staff. For example, it is generally accepted that HIV-infected people should not be vaccinated. It is precisely for such citizens that anti-influenza immunization is not only indicated, but necessary to maintain a stable condition. It’s just that these patients cannot be given live vaccines, and inactivated whole-cell vaccines are not recommended, as they have more side effects. But those consisting only of surface proteins or split forms (also classified as killed antibacterial agents) are allowed to be used.

Absolute

Contraindications under which vaccination is strictly forbidden, as it is life-threatening:

• patient age – up to 6 months;
• first trimester of pregnancy;
• severe side effects after the last flu vaccination;
• immunodeficiency: both primary (hereditary) and secondary (appears against the background of the measles-rubella-mumps vaccine);
• pronounced allergic reaction: angioedema, anaphylactic shock, encephalitis, convulsions, other symptoms. General tendency to allergic manifestations;
• bronchial asthma;
• chronic diseases of the respiratory system;
• anemia, other blood diseases;
• chronic heart failure;
• renal dysfunction;
• endocrine pathologies;
• any chronic diseases in the acute stage.

If you have doubts about belonging to one of the listed groups, it is better to consult a doctor before getting vaccinated.

Relative

These include true limitations under which the immunologist makes a decision in favor of injection manipulation, taking into account certain factors. For example, in the case of pregnancy, when the risk to the fetus does not exceed the positive effect for the mother (that is, the risk of disease and subsequent complications for a pregnant woman is much higher than the potential harm to the fetus). Relative ones also include:

• cough, runny nose;
• acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections with fever;
• blood transfusion and administration of immunoglobulin and others.

Permanent

Characteristic for a specific person who has certain diseases, for example, epilepsy. This neurological disorder is a strict contraindication to vaccination against any disease, not just influenza.

Temporary

Prohibitions that exist at the moment, for example, colds. Over time, it will pass, and the doctor will allow vaccination.

Are common

Characteristic of all flu vaccines. Described in the instructions for use, obtained experimentally. This includes:

• allergy to chicken egg white;
• hypertension;
• children's age up to six months;
• chronic diseases at the time of exacerbation;
• blood diseases;
• neurological and cardiovascular pathologies;
• kidney diseases and others.

Private

Characteristic of a specific vaccine and not characteristic of other drugs. For example, live vaccines should not be given to pregnant women and children under 3 years of age. But subunit and split vaccines do not have such restrictions.

Is it possible to get vaccinated immediately after an acute respiratory infection or do you need to wait a month?

The peculiarity of an infection such as influenza is that vaccination during the course of the disease will not have any effect. It will not increase the risk of serious complications, will not aggravate the course of the infection, but will not bring any benefit.

Also, a vaccination given immediately after an acute respiratory illness can have a fairly powerful toxic effect on the body. It can provoke the development of adverse reactions that could be avoided.

Experts recommend waiting at least 3-4 weeks after a recent respiratory illness before getting vaccinated. However, when it comes to inactivated drugs, this deadline may not be observed.

Complications

No serious complications after vaccination have been officially recorded. However, attending physicians recommend purchasing painkillers and antipyretics in advance. They will be needed if the patient experiences headaches, fever, or internal weakness and apathy after vaccination. Such anomalies are typical for adults and children; they are temporary and disappear the very next morning after preventive vaccination.

General precautions

There is a list of recommendations that should be followed before the procedure, as well as after it, so that the flu shot does not cause side effects.

1. Before the procedure, you should avoid visiting crowded places to avoid contracting the flu or other viral disease. Otherwise, there is a risk of vaccinating a person when he is already sick, but does not yet know about it. A weakened immune system will not cope well with the components of the administered drug.
2. Avoid crowded places for two weeks after vaccination, as immunity to the influenza virus is developed during this period of time. The body is somewhat weakened by the immune fight, so the risk of catching another virus, including influenza, only with a different strain, increases several times.
3. Avoid alcohol.
4. Avoid eating exotic fruits and seafood to reduce the risk of developing allergies. A few days before and after the procedure, give preference to simple, familiar food.
5. When coming from outside, wash your hands thoroughly and rinse your mucous membranes. You can use a saline solution spray for the nose, and it is better to irrigate the throat and wash the eyes with furatsilin. To clean the eyes, apply furatsilin solution to a cotton pad and rinse the eye from the outer edge to the inner. For each eye - a separate cotton pad.
6. You should not take a blood test within 10 days after vaccination, as the result will be false.
7. During the first 24 hours after vaccination, drink more fluids. Plain drinking water or black tea are better for this. It is better to avoid green tea, as it lowers blood pressure, and hypotension is included in the list of side effects of vaccination.

Flu strains

Viruses mutate all the time, but doctors are able to predict which strain will become active in the coming year.

Vaccine manufacturers follow WHO recommendations. This organization monitors all mutations of the virus and draws conclusions on what should be taken into account in the process of creating vaccines. To prepare the vaccine, a strain with basic properties is taken. The main thing is to correctly determine which of the prototypes will lead to an epidemic. Currently, vaccines are used that protect against 3-4 varieties at once.

Vaccines

Modern pharmacology has announced a number of imported and domestic vaccines that are not dangerous to the health of adults and children. The final choice of vaccination depends on the specific patient and the individual characteristics of the body (we are talking about increased sensitivity to the active ingredients of the drug). The most common names of medicinal solutions that are on everyone’s lips are presented below:

• Vaxigrip;
• Flu;
• Grippol Plus;
• Fluarix;
• Influvac.

Mechanism of action of the vaccine

The mechanism of action of the influenza vaccine is the production of specific antigens - protein complexes contained in white blood cells - leukocytes. Each such specific antigen protein is capable of blocking a strictly defined foreign virus. The antigen and the virus are like a lock and a key. The body will not react against other viruses, even slightly different from the one to which antigens were produced after vaccination.

This is associated with the rather low effectiveness and side effects of flu shots. The forecast for the spread of a certain type of virus and its strains is made by WHO based on statistical data and a study of the epidemiological situation. Identical strains spread on different continents and in different climatic zones only if the flu becomes a pandemic. But this doesn't happen often. Therefore, like any other prognostic expectations, predicting the likelihood of activation of a particular strain does not always coincide with reality.

Often they are vaccinated with “polyvalent” vaccines, which contain components of the most common viral proteins in nature. But even in this case, vaccination does not guarantee that immunity will work against the strain that will spread in a given area in a particular winter. In addition, during the winter season, side effects after flu vaccinations are especially severe.

Who should get the vaccine?

WHO recommends vaccinations for everyone, but there are groups who need to get them first:

1. Elderly and children after six months of age. These age groups are especially vulnerable to the disease and are more likely to experience complications.
2. Pregnant. Flu is very dangerous for the fetus.
3. Schoolchildren, students, teachers, doctors, sellers. They come into contact with a lot of people every day.
4. People suffering from chronic diseases. Influenza against the background of such diseases manifests itself as aggressively as possible, causing severe complications.

Is it required by law?

On the one hand, vaccination is voluntary, but on the other, a certain category of employers is obliged to carry out sanitary and anti-epidemiological measures.
The national calendar of preventive vaccinations states that workers are subject to vaccination against influenza:

• medical and educational organizations;
• transport and utilities.

The problem is that by refusing vaccination, employees create conditions for the spread of the disease.

Therefore, the employer must monitor the implementation of immunization, and in case of refusal (including for medical reasons), remove or transfer the employee, and refuse employment to the applicant for a job (clause 2 of article 5 of the Federal Law of September 17, 1998 No. 157-FZ “On immunoprophylaxis of infectious diseases”).

The employee has the right to appeal his dismissal in court.