It’s that time of year again. Children are back in school, football season starts, and cold and flu season begins! The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has released its guidelines for this flu season, and there are a few facts that you need to know.
Composition of Influenza Vaccine
The composition of the influenza vaccine for 2015-16 is different from the vaccines released in 2014-15. The influenza A H1N1 virus is the same.
The changes are in the influenza A H3N2 virus and the influenza B virus. The second B virus in the quadrivalent vaccine will be the same one used in the quadrivalent vaccine of 2014-15. As of this time, the quadrivalent vaccine is NOT preferred over the trivalent vaccine. Either the trivalent or quadrivalent is good to receive. The extra B strain in the quadrivalent vaccine broadens coverage.
The live intranasal vaccine is no longer preferred. Current data shows that it is not more effective, thus it is no longer preferred over the flu shot for children 2 to 8 years of age.
High Dose Flu Vaccine
Fluzone High Dose is an option for seniors age 65 and older. Immune response weakens with age and the high dose vaccine has four times as much antigen, which can help boost immunity. The potential downside is that high dose can cause more local reactions and flu-like symptoms.
Other Vaccinations to Consider
Tetanus
Consider a tetanus booster every 10 years after the primary series has been completed.
Pneumococcal
The CDC recommends Prevnar 13 in adults 65 years and older and in younger adults with immunocompromising conditions such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak or cochlear implant, in addition to Pneumovax 23. This means if you are 65 years or older and have never been vaccinated, a one-time dose of Prevnar 13 and a one dose of Pneumovax 23 (6 to 12 months later) are recommended.
If you are 65 years and older, and your first dose of Pneumovax 23 was given prior to age 65, and five years have elapsed since the previous dose of Pneumovax23, you can receive another dose of Pneumovax 23. No adults will receive more than three doses of Pneumovax 23, and not more than one dose of Prevnar 13 in their lifetime if CDC recommendations are followed correctly. (See list on CDC website, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/index.html)
Zoster (Shingles)
Indicated for people age 60 years and older. Persons born in the U.S. prior to1980 can be presumed to be immune to varicella (chickenpox) for the purpose of zoster vaccination, regardless of their recollection of having had chickenpox. This is a one-time dose regardless of previous history of herpes zoster or chickenpox.
Vaccination Tips and General Information
- CDC recommends flu vaccination for everyone six months and older. Vaccination is particularly important for people at high risk for serious flu complications and their close contacts. High risk individuals include young children, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney or liver disorders.
- CDC recommends getting vaccinated against the flu after vaccine becomes available, preferably by The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.
- Two reasons why it is possible to get the flu after vaccination
- You may be exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in your becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect you.
- You may be exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. There are many different flu viruses that circulate each year. The flu vaccine is made to protect against the three or flour flu viruses that research suggests will be most common. It takes two weeks after vaccination before antibodies that provide protection develop in the body.
- If you currently have a shingles outbreak, CDC recommends that you get your shingles vaccine after your rash heals. Discuss with your doctor when to receive the vaccine after the outbreak.
- A few reasons why a person should NOT receive a vaccine:
- Flumist®, a nasal flu vaccine containing a live attenuated flu virus, should not be given to pregnant women or to young children with asthma because it can cause wheezing.
- A person allergic to eggs may not be able to get some flu vaccines, depending on the severity of their reaction to eggs.
- The shingles vaccine (Zostavax®) shouldn’t be given to women who are pregnant or to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction togelatin or the antibiotic neomycin.
- Immunocompromised patients (those with weakened immune systems, such as from cancer chemotherapy or HIV) shouldn’t receive certain vaccines because there’s a increased risk of side effects with live vaccines, and inactivated vaccines may not be effective.
TLC Medical Centre Pharmacy provides seasonal vaccinations such as flu, pneumonia vaccines as well as shingles, tetanus, pertussis, meningitis, gardisil (HPV), and MMR. We also offer travel vaccines such as Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Polio. Please visit us today and let us help you stay healthy.
