Vaccination against the flu 2017-2018 is an effective way to preserve health and well-being in the cold season, as the peak of the "raging" of this disease is expected very soon, at the beginning of winter. While there is still time to protect your body from infection, to think about vaccination is especially worth it to people with weak immunity.
What kind of flu is expected in 2017-2018?
Experts predict that the following strains of influenza 2017-2018, which circulated this summer in the Southern Hemisphere, will be active on the territory of our country:
- H1N1 - "Michigan". This is a new type of already known "swine" influenza type A, the first outbreaks of infection were recorded back in 2009. In January-April 2016, cases of the incidence of this flu were again found on the territory of Russia. During this period, more than a hundred people died from the disease and its complications. This strain, affecting humans and animals, is characterized by a severe course and a rapid genetic change.
- H3N2 - "Hong Kong" . With this subspecies of type A influenza, people "met" in the distant 1968, when Hong Kong residents became massively infected, and a large number of deaths occurred. The reason for the spread of this strain was called migratory birds, as a result of which it was called "bird". During the period 2012-2013, the highest mortality rates were recorded due to the mutated virus. Last year, this virus also circulated in our country, so a part of the population has already developed immunity to it.
- Brisbane. First detected in Australia in 2008, this type B strain is characterized by a low degree of mutation and local outbreaks, so it is considered less insidious. At the same time, there is a risk of complications among those infected with Brisbane, and, given the recent appearance, little research, and this virus poses a danger to the population.
Should I get a flu shot?
Vaccination is the main preventive method in the fight against influenza infection, which provides for the annual introduction of vaccines. After receiving the vaccine, the body after a while begins to synthesize protective antibodies against certain strains of influenza, the effect of which lasts about a year. Even if infection after vaccination has occurred (because the vaccine can not give an absolute guarantee), then the disease is mild.
Despite this, many people do not understand if a flu shot is needed. Since it is not included in the mandatory list, each person decides whether to go through the vaccination or not. Doctors only give recommendations, and, according to most of them, the vaccine against the flu 2017-2018 is a necessity for all adults and children, starting from six months of age.
Vaccination against influenza 2017-2018 - side effects
As with any vaccination, vaccination against influenza 2018 is associated with a risk of negative reactions, but this probability is very low. The vast majority of people who received a high-quality vaccine injection in accordance with all the rules, tolerate the procedure favorably. In some cases, local reactions may occur: redness, swelling, mild itching and soreness. Less often in patients there is a short-term fever, a general malaise, allergic reactions . After a couple of days, the above reactions pass without a trace.
Vaccination against influenza 2017-2018 - consequences
In some cases, influenza vaccination is characterized by severe complications - neurological disorders, serious allergic reactions, infectious processes in the area of drug administration and so on. Often this is due to the mistakes of the medical staff involved in this event, ignoring the restrictions on the injection, improper storage and transportation of vaccines.
Influenza vaccination for children - do or not?
Modern pediatricians and immunologists call for vaccination of children who are already six months old. Influenza vaccine for children is especially necessary for those who visit children's institutions, regularly visits places of large crowding (urban transport, polyclinics, shopping centers) and preschool children, the risk of developing dangerous complications from influenza infection in which is very high due to imperfections of immune protection. Influenza vaccination for children, depending on the age, is placed twice with an interval of 4 weeks or once.
Vaccination against influenza in pregnant women - do or not?
According to doctors, the vaccine against the flu 2017-2018 pregnant is safe and is indicated at any time of pregnancy. Numerous studies prove that high-quality anti-influenza drugs are not able to influence the course of pregnancy and fetal development, while maximally protecting the future mother and child from the negative consequences that the infection with influenza in this period entails. The flu vaccine for pregnant women, in addition, halves the risk of infection of the infant for six months from birth.
Vaccination against the flu 2017-2018 - when to do?
Antifungal vaccine should be administered before the start of the influenza season, taking into account the period of development of protective antibodies in the body (two to four weeks). It is advisable to start vaccinating already in September-October, but it's not too late to apply the vaccine against the flu 2017-2018 and in November-December, because the brightest outbreak is predicted by experts in the second winter month.
Vaccination against influenza - indications and contraindications
Indications for vaccination against influenza infection are broad - vaccinations are recommended to almost all people. In this case, the procedure requires an examination of the doctor and the diagnosis of the body in order to identify temporary or permanent contraindications. Vaccination against influenza 2017-2018 contraindications of a temporary nature has the following:
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- acute infectious disease with fever;
- The recent change in climatic conditions (related to travel to distant countries).
Let's enumerate what contraindications are available for flu vaccine:
- allergy to the components of the injected agent (preservatives, protein);
- previously revealed severe postvaccinal complications.
In addition, to refuse from vaccination is due to some other reasons established by specialists individually. With regard to patients who are recommended to be vaccinated against influenza first, then they include people whose immunity is weakened:
- aged people;
- children of younger age;
- patients with chronic ailments (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, blood diseases, immunodeficiency, bronchial asthma).
Plus, vaccination necessarily follows individuals whose occupation provides for constant contact with a large number of people:
- teachers, teachers, educators;
- transport workers;
- physicians;
- students;
- schoolchildren and so on.
Vaccine against the flu 2017-2018 - which is better?
Every year the pharmaceutical industry produces all new influenza vaccines, monitoring the circulation of pathogens among the population and predicting the activity of certain strains in the upcoming season in the one and the second hemispheres. A flu vaccine can be one of four types:
- live preparations containing weakened viruses (administered intranasally);
- inactivated whole-virion vaccines containing whole inactive viruses;
- Split split vaccines, containing protein components of viruses;
- subunit vaccines containing two surface virus antigens required to develop immunity.
Live and all-virgin intranasal preparations in the form of sprays, used in past years, showed their inefficiency, which is why this season is not used. The most safe and effective now are subunit vaccines prepared on chick embryos or on cell culture. These drugs are characterized by a high degree of purification, low reactogenicity.
Influenza vaccine - composition
Live anti-influenza vaccine, contraindicated to pregnant women and children under three years of age, is not applied this season. Vaccination against influenza 2017-2018 is one of two types of vaccines:
- trivalent - containing three strains of viruses that will circulate in our territory ("Michigan", "Brisbane", "Hong Kong");
- tetravalent - including in its composition, in addition to these three strains, a dangerous strain of type B - Phuket.
Vaccination against influenza 2017-2018 - name
When choosing influenza vaccine should be guided by the recommendations of the doctor, because different drugs are characterized by different concentrations of components and have other differences. Traditionally, the highest quality products are considered foreign manufacturers, but modern domestic vaccines do not lag far behind in this regard. We call the best vaccines against the flu 2017-2018:
- Vaxigrip (France);
- Influvac (Netherlands);
- Fluarix (Russia);
- Sovigripp (Russia);
- Grippol, Grippol Plus (Russia);
- Inflexal (Switzerland);
- Agrippal (Italy);
- Begrivac (Germany).