DustyKat
Super Moderator
The question of flu vaccination understandably arises each year. This post hopefully answers the frequently asked questions for those considering influenza vaccination. It does not go into the pros and cons of the individual with IBD nor personal experiences and beliefs.
The most important point of note regarding flu vaccination for immunocompromised persons is: The injection is NOT a live virus. The nasal spray IS a live virus. Immunocompromised persons cannot receive lives vaccines.
The composition of the flu vaccination is based on the dominant influenza virus strains predicted to be in circulation during the flu season, therefore it does not provide immunity to all the strains of flu virus that may circulate in a flu season. Australia has a trivalent (3 strain) influenza vaccine however some countries do have a quadrivalent vaccine.
*All immunocompromised persons, irrespective of age, who receive influenza vaccine for the first time are recommended to receive two vaccine doses, at least 4 weeks apart, and 1 dose annually thereafter. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/content/immunise-influenza
As far as I can ascertain this is a new recommendation and appeared in the updated version of the The Australian Immunisation Handbook.
The information provided below is of a general nature and I will attempt to make it as generic as possible.
General Facts:
What is Influenza?
Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are three main types of influenza virus that cause infection in humans - types A, B and C - and many sub-types or strains. Influenza can occur throughout the year but influenza activity usually peaks in winter.
Influenza is a vaccine-preventable illness but a new vaccine needs to be given each year because influenza viruses change (mutate) constantly. A new influenza vaccine is prepared each year to best match the strains predicted for the coming influenza season.
How long does protection from the vaccine last?
The vaccine takes 2 weeks to work and will last for about 12 months. Low levels of protection may persist for another year after. For ongoing protection a new vaccine is required each year.
Can I catch influenza from having the vaccine?
No. The vaccine does not contain any live influenza virus. Some people have a sore arm or a mild temperature after they have received the vaccine and this is a normal reaction. However, it does take around 2 weeks before the body is fully protected after vaccination. If you are exposed to someone with influenza infection during this time you may still become sick because your body is not yet fully protected.
What are the symptoms?
People with influenza typically experience some or all of the following symptoms:
Some symptoms may last for more than a week. Some people may also experience very mild symptoms, particularly if they have some immunity from a previous infection or vaccination.
Seek immediate medical advice if the illness quickly becomes worse or if any of the following occurs:
How is it spread?
Influenza viruses are mainly spread by droplets made when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Influenza can also be spread through touching surfaces where infected droplets have landed.
People with influenza can be infectious from the day before their symptoms start. Adults are most infectious in the first 3-5 days of their illness, while children remain infectious for 7-10 days, and people with weakened immune systems may be infectious for longer.
Who is at risk?
While anyone can get influenza, the following people are at higher risk of complications from influenza infection:
Influenza vaccination each year before winter arrives is the best way to prevent influenza.
Seasonal influenza vaccination is available for anyone aged 6 months and over to protect against influenza, provided they do not have a medical reason that precludes them from receiving influenza vaccines.
People at higher risk of influenza complications are strongly recommended to have an annual influenza vaccination.
Annual influenza vaccination is also recommended for those who frequently come in to close contact with other people at higher risk of influenza complications (such as health care workers, and family members), to help protect vulnerable people from infection.
Take action to stop the spread of influenza by remembering to:
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors usually diagnose influenza based on symptoms. The diagnosis can be confirmed by testing a sample of fluid taken from the back of the nose and throat or a blood sample. These tests are usually only needed if the illness is severe or if there is an increased risk of complications.
How is it treated?
The symptoms of influenza are usually managed by bed rest and taking simple analgesics for muscle aches and pains.
Children under 16 years of age must not be given aspirin-containing medications while ill with influenza. This is due to the increased risk of children developing Reye syndrome, a form of encephalitis and liver degeneration.
Specific influenza antiviral medicines can reduce the severity and the duration of influenza but need to be taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms. These medicines need to be prescribed by a doctor, and are usually considered for people at higher risk of complications from influenza infection.
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/influenza_factsheet.aspx *I have altered this factsheet to remove specific Australian content.
**Children under 16 years of age must not be given aspirin-containing medications while ill with influenza. This is due to the increased risk of children developing Reye syndrome, a form of encephalitis and liver degeneration.
I had not been aware of this prior to researching for this post. As a result I have searched the use of Pentasa, Asacol, Salofalk etc in children with influenza and the same warning appears...
Do NOT use (insert 5ASA being used) delayed-release tablets if:
you are younger than 18 years old and you have the flu or chickenpox or have received a live vaccine (eg, varicella, influenza) within the past 6 weeks.
The most important point of note regarding flu vaccination for immunocompromised persons is: The injection is NOT a live virus. The nasal spray IS a live virus. Immunocompromised persons cannot receive lives vaccines.
The composition of the flu vaccination is based on the dominant influenza virus strains predicted to be in circulation during the flu season, therefore it does not provide immunity to all the strains of flu virus that may circulate in a flu season. Australia has a trivalent (3 strain) influenza vaccine however some countries do have a quadrivalent vaccine.
*All immunocompromised persons, irrespective of age, who receive influenza vaccine for the first time are recommended to receive two vaccine doses, at least 4 weeks apart, and 1 dose annually thereafter. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/content/immunise-influenza
As far as I can ascertain this is a new recommendation and appeared in the updated version of the The Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Children and adults with egg allergy, including anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with influenza. However this should be discussed with their doctor or immunisation provider.
The information provided below is of a general nature and I will attempt to make it as generic as possible.
General Facts:
What is Influenza?
Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are three main types of influenza virus that cause infection in humans - types A, B and C - and many sub-types or strains. Influenza can occur throughout the year but influenza activity usually peaks in winter.
Influenza is a vaccine-preventable illness but a new vaccine needs to be given each year because influenza viruses change (mutate) constantly. A new influenza vaccine is prepared each year to best match the strains predicted for the coming influenza season.
How long does protection from the vaccine last?
The vaccine takes 2 weeks to work and will last for about 12 months. Low levels of protection may persist for another year after. For ongoing protection a new vaccine is required each year.
Can I catch influenza from having the vaccine?
No. The vaccine does not contain any live influenza virus. Some people have a sore arm or a mild temperature after they have received the vaccine and this is a normal reaction. However, it does take around 2 weeks before the body is fully protected after vaccination. If you are exposed to someone with influenza infection during this time you may still become sick because your body is not yet fully protected.
What are the symptoms?
People with influenza typically experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- fever and chills
- cough, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose
- muscle aches, joint pains, headaches and fatigue (feeling very tired)
- nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (more common in children than adults).
Some symptoms may last for more than a week. Some people may also experience very mild symptoms, particularly if they have some immunity from a previous infection or vaccination.
Seek immediate medical advice if the illness quickly becomes worse or if any of the following occurs:
- shortness of breath or rapid breathing
- chest pain
- confusion or sudden dizziness
- persistent vomiting
How is it spread?
Influenza viruses are mainly spread by droplets made when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Influenza can also be spread through touching surfaces where infected droplets have landed.
People with influenza can be infectious from the day before their symptoms start. Adults are most infectious in the first 3-5 days of their illness, while children remain infectious for 7-10 days, and people with weakened immune systems may be infectious for longer.
Who is at risk?
While anyone can get influenza, the following people are at higher risk of complications from influenza infection:
- All individuals aged 65 years or older
- Pregnant women
- Individuals aged 6 months and over with medical conditions predisposing to severe influenza, namely: Cardiac disease, including cyanotic congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
- Chronic respiratory conditions, including suppurative lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and severe asthma.
- Other chronic illnesses requiring regular medical follow up or hospitalisation in the previous year, including diabetes mellitus, chronic metabolic diseases, chronic renal failure, and haemoglobinopathies.
- Chronic neurological conditions that impact on respiratory function, including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and seizure disorders.
- Impaired immunity, including HIV, malignancy and chronic steroid use.
- Children aged 6 months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
Influenza vaccination each year before winter arrives is the best way to prevent influenza.
Seasonal influenza vaccination is available for anyone aged 6 months and over to protect against influenza, provided they do not have a medical reason that precludes them from receiving influenza vaccines.
People at higher risk of influenza complications are strongly recommended to have an annual influenza vaccination.
Annual influenza vaccination is also recommended for those who frequently come in to close contact with other people at higher risk of influenza complications (such as health care workers, and family members), to help protect vulnerable people from infection.
Take action to stop the spread of influenza by remembering to:
- Cover your face when you cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in a rubbish bin.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Wash hands for at least 10 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Stay at home until you're well. Wait at least 24 hours after your fever resolves so you that you are unlikely to infect other people. Keep sick children away from school and other activities.
- Call ahead to see a doctor. If you think you may have influenza and you need to see a doctor, call first so the clinic can take precautions to reduce the risk to other people.
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors usually diagnose influenza based on symptoms. The diagnosis can be confirmed by testing a sample of fluid taken from the back of the nose and throat or a blood sample. These tests are usually only needed if the illness is severe or if there is an increased risk of complications.
How is it treated?
The symptoms of influenza are usually managed by bed rest and taking simple analgesics for muscle aches and pains.
Children under 16 years of age must not be given aspirin-containing medications while ill with influenza. This is due to the increased risk of children developing Reye syndrome, a form of encephalitis and liver degeneration.
Specific influenza antiviral medicines can reduce the severity and the duration of influenza but need to be taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms. These medicines need to be prescribed by a doctor, and are usually considered for people at higher risk of complications from influenza infection.
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/influenza_factsheet.aspx *I have altered this factsheet to remove specific Australian content.
**Children under 16 years of age must not be given aspirin-containing medications while ill with influenza. This is due to the increased risk of children developing Reye syndrome, a form of encephalitis and liver degeneration.
I had not been aware of this prior to researching for this post. As a result I have searched the use of Pentasa, Asacol, Salofalk etc in children with influenza and the same warning appears...
Do NOT use (insert 5ASA being used) delayed-release tablets if:
you are younger than 18 years old and you have the flu or chickenpox or have received a live vaccine (eg, varicella, influenza) within the past 6 weeks.
but they worked. 
