Some interesting facts about the flu vaccine

As the weather turns cooler, the influenza virus comes back again along with various respiratory infectious diseases. Influenza spreads rapidly and can cause seasonal epidemics every year. Influenza prevention and control is also a global problem. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza can cause 5%-10% of adults and 20%-30% of children to become ill each year, including 3 million to 5 million severe cases and about 290,000 to 650,000 deaths. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases are at higher risk of developing serious illness and death after contracting influenza. Its impact on family health cannot be underestimated. In the autumn and winter seasons, early influenza vaccination is one of the effective ways to prevent influenza, which can significantly reduce the risk of influenza and serious complications in recipients.

Will I not get the flu after getting the vaccine?

NO, because nothing is absolute, including vaccines. The protective efficacy of the influenza vaccines we currently use cannot reach 100% in the population, so corresponding preventive measures should still be taken during the influenza epidemic. In addition to getting the influenza vaccine, you should also open windows for ventilation, wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze, wear a mask, and maintain social distance to reduce the risk of influenza transmission and infection.

I got the flu vaccine last year, do I need to get it this year?

The immunity acquired by the human body after influenza vaccination will decrease over time. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that the protective effect of inactivated influenza vaccination against antigenically similar strains can last for 6-8 months, and serum antibody levels are significantly reduced one year after vaccination. In addition, due to the "variable" viral genes and "diverse" host biological characteristics of influenza, new mutant strains will continue to appear and spread widely among the population, causing repeated infections and illness. Every year, based on the results of global influenza monitoring, WHO will make predictive recommendations on seasonal influenza strains for the next influenza season in the northern and southern hemispheres. Therefore, the influenza vaccine administered each year may be different, and only by choosing the influenza vaccination of that year can effective protection be obtained.

Is it necessary for young people to get the flu vaccine?

The influenza virus is common in all populations, including young people. Healthy people can also be infected. The flu is different from the common cold. The symptoms after infection are more severe, highly contagious and harmful.

People of all ages (except infants under 6 months old) can benefit from the flu vaccine. If you frequently go out to public places, you are more likely to bring the flu virus home and infect the elderly and children. Studies have shown that when healthy adults are vaccinated, young children and the elderly around them are more protected.

Does the flu vaccine take effect immediately?

After vaccination, it usually takes 2-4 weeks to produce protective antibodies, so if the vaccine recipient has been in contact with a flu patient during this period, he or she may still get the flu. To ensure that the vaccine recipient is immune before the flu season, it is best to complete the vaccination before the flu season. To prevent the flu scientifically, early vaccination is the best way!

Tips: During the same influenza epidemic season, people who have completed the full vaccination process according to the vaccination procedures do not need to be vaccinated again.

(Zhao Heping, deputy chief nurse at the 21st Century Vaccination Clinic of Henan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine)