| Flu vaccine | |||||
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The flu (influenza) is a viral infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs which affects from 5-20% of people all over the world each year, mostly during winter.
The flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine - this means it contains influenza virus that is not alive. This is injected into the upper arm to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies to the influenza virus. The injected person's immune system produce antibodies that attack and kill the virus and provide more memory antibodies to attack and kill the virus if the person is further infected later, so that they do not become as ill and often do not actually get a flu infection at all.
The flu vaccine was developed because many people get very sick from the flu, have to miss work or school, others need hospitalisation for the symptoms they develop, while some even die from it and other complications that arise from it. The flu vaccine can prevent this.
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- Flu vaccine should be given in late summer/early autumn to be really effective
- Many work places provide free (or really cheap) flu vaccines for those not eligible to get it for free
- Each year, different strains are added to the flu vaccine, depending on the flu strains that are in circulation at the time
- The flu vaccine prevents flu infection in about 70%-90% of healthy adults under 65 years
- People with a severe allergy to eggs should NOT get the flu vaccine
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Why the flu vaccine is important
Flu vaccine (the flu shot) is recommended for people who are more likely to get really sick from the flu if they get it as they are more susceptible to getting complications (such as pneumonia) from the flu if they catch it. The flu vaccine provides some immunity and lessens the symptoms of the flu if a person gets it.
The following groups of people are recommended to get the flu vaccine:
- People over 65 years of age
- People with chronic heart and lung conditions
- Babies and toddlers from 6 months - 5 years
- Healthcare workers
- Nursing home residents
National Immunisation Program Schedule in Australia provides a free influenze vaccine for people aged over 65 and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 15-49 with health risks, and for those over 50.
How effective the flu vaccine is, depends on a few factors:
- the match between the virus strains in the vaccine and the virus strains that are infecting people the season
- the health and age of those getting the flu vaccine
references
- Marieb EM, Hoehn K. Human Anatomy & Physiology. 7th edition, 2006. Benjamin Cummings Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E, Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition 7th Edition, 2006 Thomson Wadsworth USA
- Tortora GJ, Derrickson BH. Principles of Anatomy & Physiology. 11th edition, 2005. Wiley Publishing
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- National Immunisation Program (Australia)
