Important Details About Flu Shots Mobile AL Patients Should Be Aware Of

By Kristen Baird


Every year, influenza is responsible for the illness of thousands of people in the United States. In some more serious cases, it results in hospitalization and even death, especially in the very old, very young, or those with compromised immune systems. One of the most effective ways to prevent this is through immunization. When it comes to understanding the importance of flu shots Mobile AL patients will find the following information helpful.

Immunization introduces a weakened form of the influenza virus into the body, which causes it to produce antibodies against this microorganism. It takes about two weeks from when the inoculation is received for these antibodies to form. Vaccines typically offer protection against both "A" and "B" influenza types.

The most common vaccines are classified as either trivalent or quadrivalent. Recipients of a trivalent vaccine are given protection from three strains of flu, HINI and H3N2 which are "A" viruses and also one "B" virus. Those who get a quadrivalent vaccine receive the same protection, along with the addition of one other "B" influenza. There is also a nasal spray version of some vaccines, which can be given to people from 2 to 49 years of age.

The nasal spray vaccine is considered the first choice for healthy children between 2 and 8 years old, but if not available, a regular injection should be administered. Others will receive either a regular vaccine, high-dose vaccine, or intradermal injection. A doctor can recommend which option is best.

Not every type of vaccine can be safely used on patients of all ages, for instance, intradermal shots are only indicated for people between the ages of 18 and 64, and high-dose vaccines are meant for those over 65 years of age. Eggs are used as a base for many vaccines, but some people are allergic to them, so they will need to receive a vaccination prepared using cell cultures instead.

Flu season in the United States typically begins in October and ends in May. It is recommended that everyone who is at least six months of age should receive the immunization each year prior to the start of the season.These vaccines usually become available sometime in August. Distribution continues throughout the autumn months and continues into the peak season which usually occurs around January.

Vaccinations are widely available in most communities and may be offered in the workplace, at school, at a college health center, and of course at the doctor's office and in public health clinics. Yearly immunization is recommended because people's immunity gradually lessens over time, and also because the strains of flu which are prevalent tend to vary from one year to the next.

It is still possible to get the flu after receiving an immunization, however the illness is likely to much milder in nature with less serious implications than it would be without being vaccinated. Some people will experience some minor side effects following vaccination such as a slight fever, and soreness at the injection site, and in the case of the nasal spray vaccine, there may be a headache, sore throat, or runny nose, but these symptoms do not last long and are preferable to becoming very ill with influenza.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment