|
small
font | large font
Topics:
All about influenza – the infection
About the vaccine
Who can get the vaccine this year
Influenza Vaccine and Pregnancy
Preventing Influenza
Where to get the vaccine
Influenza & Children
All About Influenza – the Infection
What is influenza?
Influenza is a contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by a virus and is spread by nasal droplets. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
Why is it important to be protected from influenza each year?
Anyone can get influenza. The influenza virus spreads from person to person through coughs, sneezes, or contact with nose or throat secretions.
Influenza can lead to problems like pneumonia and in children it can cause high fevers and seizures. Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza.
What is the “stomach flu”?
The ‘stomach flu’ is commonly used to describe many illnesses. True Influenza is described above and does not include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. If you have these symptoms, they are likely due to a virus or bacteria other than influenza.
How long can the influenza virus survive on surfaces?
The influenza virus can live outside the body on hard surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastic, for 24-48 hours and on soft surfaces, such as cloth, paper and tissues for less than 8-12 hours. However, it can only infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on hard surfaces, and for up to a few minutes after being deposited on soft surfaces.
Are there warning signs or severe influenza symptoms that need to be treated by a doctor?
You should see a doctor as soon as possible if you have:
- Any high risk medical condition that may increase problems of influenza such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, cancer, renal disease, anemia, severe obesity, pregnancy or a poor immune system.
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest Pain
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Adults – high fever that lasts more than two days
- Children – severely tired, seems very ill.
- Confusion or difficulty waking an ill person
back to top of page
Information About the Vaccine
Can I get the “flu” from the influenza vaccine?
No. The influenza vaccine is an inactivated vaccine. This means that the virus has been killed before being made into a vaccine. It has the ability to stimulate the immune system to create specific antibodies against the virus but cannot cause disease.
Why do some people feel ill after the influenza vaccine?
Side effects of the vaccine may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, fatigue, muscle aches and loss of appetite. Because the vaccine is given at a time of year when many other viruses are circulating, it is possible that some individuals are infected with another virus at or shortly after getting the vaccine, causing them to feel ill.
Can I get the influenza vaccine if I have a cold?
Immunizations are best given when persons are at their healthiest state to increase the vaccine effectiveness. If you are experiencing a moderate to severe illness with or without a fever, it is best to delay immunization. If you have a cold that has been present for a few days, and you do not have a fever, immunization is encouraged.
I’ve had the influenza vaccine before and I still got sick. Why?
Influenza vaccine is not always perfect. It protects against the 3 most common strains of influenza at the time the vaccine is made. Viruses may change over a short period of time or new viruses may emerge. As well, not everyone’s immune system develops the best immune response.
The vaccine will not protect you from the common cold or illnesses of the intestinal tract.
Is the Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus included in this year’s seasonal influenza vaccine?
Yes, the strain that was known as the pandemic H1N1 strain last year is included as one of the three strains in this year’s seasonal vaccine and is now known as A/California/7/2009-H1N1.
Is there mercury in the vaccine?
Only multi-dose vials of vaccine need to contain a preservative in order to prevent bacteria or fungal growth. The product Fluviral contains the preservative thimerosol.
Thimerosal is an ethyl mercury derivative. The body gets rid of ethyl mercury much quicker than methyl mercury (the mercury found in the environment). Therefore the mercury found in vaccines is much less likely to accumulate in the body and cause harm.
Is there an adjuvant in this year’s influenza vaccine?
The vaccine Fluad contains an adjuvant. This vaccine is only being offered to people who are 65 years of age or older and live in a long-term care facility. There is no adjuvant in this year’s seasonal influenza vaccine being offered to the rest of the population.
Who makes the influenza vaccine that is used in Saskatchewan?
The Ministry of Health has contracts with two producers of influenza vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline produces Fluviral®. Novartis produces Agriflu® and Fluad®. All vaccines include the three strains of flu virus as recommended by the World Health Organization.
What other types of influenza vaccine are authorized for use in Canada?
Four other products authorized for use in Canada include:
- Intanza® (Sanofi Pasteur) is given just under the skin for adults and seniors.
- Influvac® (Abbott) is for use in person 18 years and older and is also thimerosal free.
- FluMist® (MedImmune) is a live but weakened virus that is given in an intranasal spray. It is for use in persons 2 – 59 years of age.
- Vaxigrip® (Sanofi-Pasteur) owes in a single-dose or multi-dose vial.
These products may be obtained through a doctor. They range in cost from $20 to $30.
Why does the government not provide the influenza vaccine that is given as a nasal spray?
The vaccine in the nasal spray has some limitations: it is approved for people 2-59 years of age but is not recommended for pregnant women or persons with a poor immune system. It can be obtained through a pharmacy.
If I had a severe adverse reaction to H1N1 vaccine, should I get the seasonal influenza vaccine?
A small number of people had serious adverse reactions to H1N1 vaccine. If you have not already told a health care provider about a serious reaction you had and been given advice about what to do you should contact your local public health office and report it now.
back to top of page
Information about who can get the vaccine this year
Who qualifies for influenza vaccine this year?
Seasonal influenza vaccine is available for everyone 6 months of age and older living in the province. This does not mean that in future years everyone will get influenza vaccine.
It is most important for:
- Persons at high risk of problems related to influenza:
- Persons with a chronic health condition (heart or lung disease, diabetes, cancer, renal disease, anemia, severe obesity or a poor immune system);
- Children and youth who are treated for long periods with ASA;
- Residents of a nursing home or other care facility;
- Adults 65 years and over.
- Pregnant women.
- Children 6 months to 23 months of age.
Household and close contacts:
- of those listed above
- of infants less than 6 months of age;
- household members expecting a newborn before March 31st, 2012.
Other groups:
- Health region employees, health care students and volunteers;
- Physicians and medical office staff;
- Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings;
- Persons providing child care to children up to 23 months of age;
- Persons who work with poultry and hogs.
Are household and close contacts to high risk persons eligible for vaccine?
Yes. All persons in Saskatchewan can receive influenza vaccine this year. It is most important for people in high risk groups, and for their household and close contacts.
Should I have an influenza immunization even though I don’t fit into a “high risk” group?
Influenza can infect anyone. With immunization, you protect yourself and reduce passing it to those around you. It is very important for close contacts of high risks persons.
If I have travel plans for 2011 – 2012 should I get the influenza vaccine?
Yes, influenza vaccine is recommended for all persons this year. Getting the vaccine early means you are protected here and while travelling.
I am a treaty First Nation. Can I get influenza vaccine?
Yes, seasonal influenza vaccine is for everyone in the province this year.
Who should not get the influenza vaccine?
- It should not be given to anyone with a severe allergy to any part of the vaccine or to a previous dose. Those with egg allergies should discuss the matter with their physician or public health nurse.
- The vaccine is not approved for children less than 6 months of age.
- It is also not recommended for people who have developed Guillain Barre Syndrome within 8 weeks following influenza vaccine.
- Persons with moderate to severe illness with or without fever should delay immunization.
back top of page
Influenza vaccine and pregnancy
Can a pregnant woman get the influenza vaccine in any trimester?
The influenza vaccine is safe to receive in any of the three trimesters of pregnancy and is recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. The risk of influenza and problems related to influenza is greatest in the last trimester. Getting immunized during pregnancy helps protect the newborn baby against influenza.
Will the influenza vaccine be passed on to infants whose mothers breastfeed them?
No, the vaccine will not be transferred to breastfed infants. 0 - 6 month old babies will rely on the people around them to be immunized. This is called “cocooning”.
Preventing Influenza
What can I do to protect myself and/or my family from influenza?
These are very simple steps that everyone can use to reduce their risk of getting sick.
- Wash your hands frequently for 15 seconds using soap, friction and warm running water.
- Great Tip! Teach your kids to sing Happy Birthday while washing their hands; it is about 15 seconds long!
- If you are unable to wash your hands immediately, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue, throw the tissue away in the garbage and wash your hands, or,
- Cough and sneeze into your arm.
- Influenza can spread from hand to eye and nose contact – avoid touching these areas.
- Clean surfaces often, such as telephones, computer keyboards and door handles.
- Stay two meters or six feet away from a coughing or ill person if you are able.
- Stay home if you are ill.
back to top of page
Where to get the Vaccine
Where can I be immunized for seasonal influenza?
You can be immunized at any public clinic. Please refer to locations and dates. You may also get immunized at a doctor’s office.
Click here for listing of clinic locations and dates.
Will I need to wait in line?
We expect a wait time, however we are unable to estimate this time accurately. We will strive to provide service within 1 hour. You may go to any public clinic site in Saskatoon and rural areas.
We will encourage certain groups to come on specific days to decrease waiting times; however you will not be turned away if you do not fit into that group.
To decrease your waiting time, obtain and complete the registration form ahead of time. You can pick it up at your local Public Health Office or download it from this website. Click here. Make sure you include your health card number.
Can I get my whole family immunized at one visit?
Yes.
If I am an SHR employee, may I attend a public site?
Absolutely and bring your family too!
When will vaccine no longer be available?
The influenza program ends on March 31st of each year. After November 7, 2011 influenza appointments are available on a limited basis.
If I am housebound during the public immunization campaign, will a nurse visit my home to provide immunization?
Home Care clients (urban and rural) who request influenza vaccine will be screened by Home Care staff for their ability to go to a public site. If not, a trained home care nurse may give the influenza vaccine in their home. Since the health region has limited trained nurses, home visits are not possible for other persons. If getting to a mass immunization site is a problem, some family doctors are immunizing and public health offers booked appointments after November 7, 2011.
While it is hard to be isolated in your own home, it does reduce your exposure to the virus and provides you with some protection from getting ill.
If I am in hospital during the influenza campaign, will I receive the vaccine in hospital?
If you have a short stay in hospital, you should plan to attend a public site, a family doctor or book an appointment after November 7.
Information on locations, dates and times are listed on the website or call the flu line at 655-4flu. It is best to plan ahead, and get your immunization when the public sites open October 11.
If you are in hospital for a longer period of time, your doctor can order the vaccine and it will be provided in hospital.
back to top of page
Influenza and Children
Why is my 6 month – 23 month old child at greater risk for influenza?
Young children are great transmitters! They love to explore and touch many things and in this way they can pass or get infections such as influenza more easily. A young child’s immune system is also immature and this means they have more difficulty in fighting infections.
Why do some children receive 2 doses of influenza vaccine in the same season?
It is recommended that children under 9 receive 2 doses of influenza vaccine if it is their first year of being immunized. This is due to a lower response to the vaccine by a younger immune system. The second dose acts as a booster, providing adequate protection for the season. The following year, these children need only one dose.
If my child had 2 doses of Pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine (Arepanrix) in the 2009 influenza season, do they still need 2 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine in 2011?
Yes. Children under 9 years old immunized for the first time with seasonal influenza should receive two doses of vaccine, one month apart, to be fully protected, regardless if they received pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine in the past.
This is because there was only one strain (instead of three) in the pandemic H1N1 vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccine has three strains in it every year. If your child has ever received seasonal influenza vaccine in the past, including last year, he/she would only need one dose this year.
What is the cut off date for children under 9 to receive their 2 doses of vaccine?
The first dose of vaccine should be given by the end of February so that the second dose (if this is their first year) may be received before the end date of the program, March 31st.
Can children receive routine immunization as well as their influenza vaccine if they present at a drop-in influenza clinic?
Drop-in influenza clinics are set up to deliver influenza vaccine on a large scale. Therefore we do not offer routine childhood immunizations at these clinics. However influenza vaccine is offered at child health clinics when the child presents for routine childhood immunization. Just call the health centre nearest you for an appointment or stop by one of the drop-in child health clinics.
At what age is parental consent no longer required to get a vaccine?
In the Saskatoon Health Region, once a person has reached the age of 16, they are able to give their own consent, providing they understand the benefits and risks of immunization and can answer the screening questions.
Is the dosage of influenza vaccine the same for a child as for an adult?
Yes, the dosage for children and adults is 0.5 ml.
Can I use Emla cream on my child prior to getting the influenza vaccine?
Emla cream and Ametop® gel are used for persons who have anxiety towards immunization or needles since these products numb the area. Studies have shown that the use of Emla does not affect the immunologic response to vaccines such as BCG, DaPTP-Hib, Hepatitis B and MMR. There are no studies to support or deny its use with influenza vaccine.
Techniques such as a comfortable room temperature, avoiding long line ups and the use of distractions may help to decrease the anxiety of persons and help lessen the risk of fainting.
If I am a parent of a child under 6 months, why is it important for me to be immunized?
The influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age, therefore it is very important that parents are immunized to prevent getting and passing on influenza virus. This is called ‘cocooning”, as it means you are protecting your baby.
back to top of page
Back to Main Influenza Program Page
(updated September 19, 2011)
|
