Flu Vaccine And Coronavirus
Flu vaccination is important because:
- more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
- if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill
- getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu.
Some Medicines May Dampen Vaccine Effectiveness
As with most rules of medical science, there are some exceptions. If you happen to be taking prescription drugs that do affect your immune system, the vaccine might not be as effective as it would be if you weren’t.
So if you have had an organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressant drugs or taking those drugs to treat an autoimmune disease, or if you’re taking certain cancer chemotherapies, the immunosuppressive drug could decrease the efficacy of the vaccine, says William Moss, M.D., executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Same goes for people who are HIV positive and take one or more medications that affect their immune systems.
Even so, Schaffner emphasizes, such medications will continue to work on the conditions you’re taking them for and so will the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Should you still get the vaccines? asks Schaffner, referring to the currently available COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Absolutely. Now, can we guarantee that you will have 95 percent protection? No, but you will get some degree of protection. And some is better than nothing.”
Will I Need To Use This Drug Long Term
You might, but it depends on why youre taking Xarelto. The length of time Xarelto treatment is used is based on why youre taking the drug. Typical treatment lengths are as follows:
- If youre taking Xarelto after having a knee replacement, youll take the drug for 12 days after your surgery.
- If youre taking Xarelto after having a hip replacement, youll take the drug for 35 days after your surgery.
- If youre taking Xarelto because you were admitted to a hospital for an acute illness, youll take the drug for 31 to 39 days.
- If youre taking Xarelto to treat a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism , youll take the drug for 6 to 12 months.
However, when its prescribed to prevent blood clots or their complications, Xarelto is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Xarelto is safe and effective for you, youll likely take it long term for these purposes.
If you have coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease , youll take Xarelto with aspirin.
With CAD, you have narrowed arteries in your heart. With PAD, you have narrowed arteries in your legs. Both of these conditions increase your risk of having blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Using a combination of Xarelto and aspirin is more effective for preventing heart attack and stroke in people with CAD or PAD than using aspirin alone.
The recommended dosage of aspirin for this use is 75 mg to 100 mg taken once a day.
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Allergic Reactions To The Flu Vaccine
It’s very rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine. If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.
The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
Anyone can report a suspected side effect of a vaccine through the Yellow Card Scheme.
Interactions Between Travel Vaccines Anddrugs
Live Attenuated Oral Typhoid and Cholera Vaccines
Live attenuated vaccines generally should be avoided in immunocompromised travelers, including those taking immunomodulators, calcineurin inhibitors, cytotoxic agents, antimetabolites, and high-dose steroids .
Antimicrobial agents may be active against the vaccine strains in the oral typhoid and cholera vaccines and may prevent adequate immune response to these vaccines. Vaccination with oral typhoid vaccine should be delayed for > 72 hours and with oral cholera vaccine for > 14 days after administration of antimicrobial agents. Parenteral typhoid vaccine is an alternative to oral vaccine, but there is no parenteral cholera vaccine currently available, and no killed oral cholera vaccines are licensed in the United States.
Chloroquine and atovaquone-proguanil at doses used for malaria chemoprophylaxis may be given concurrently with oral typhoid vaccine. Data from an older formulation of the CVD 103-HgR oral cholera vaccine suggest that the immune response to the vaccine may be diminished when it is given concomitantly with chloroquine. Live attenuated oral cholera vaccine should be given at least 10 days before beginning antimalarial prophylaxis with chloroquine. A study in children using oral cholera vaccine suggested no decrease in immunogenicity when given with atovaquone-proguanil.
Rabies Vaccine
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Fda Investigates Faulty Clinical Trial
In 2016, questions surfaced regarding the validity of the clinical trial, titled ROCKET-AF, largely used in the approval of Xarelto by the FDA. The agency launched an investigation into the matter following the July 2016 recall of a device called the Alere INRatio, used to monitor warfarin therapy in the control group of the study. The FDA acknowledged that the ROCKET-AF clinical trial provided the primary data to support the 2011 approval of the blood thinner drug Xarelto .
The device used to test for blood clotting during the ROCKET-AF clinical trials was recalled due to its propensity to provide falsely low results. CBS News reported that the manufacturer of the faulty device confirmed that the problem dated back to 2002. Even though the study results showed that there was no significant difference between warfarin and Xarelto in the risk of major bleeding , the fear was that the devices flaw could have skewed those results, making Xarelto seem like the safer choice compared to warfarin when that might not be the reality.
However, following the completion of what the FDA described as a variety of analyses to assess the impact that this faulty monitoring device had on the ROCKET-AF study results, the agency determined that the effects on strokes and bleeding, including bleeding in the head, were minimal in patients taking Xarelto. The agency further concluded that Xarelto is a safe and effective alternative to warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Vaccination During Treatment With Pradaxa Eliquis Xarelto Or Heparin
- The syringe should be given as close to the next dose as possible. The blood concentration of the drug is then the lowest and the blood thinning effect the least. Then the risk of bleeding with a jab is lowest.
- We recommend that you sit for 10 minutes for observation after injection.
Pradaxa or Eliquis :
- After your morning dose , it should take at least 6 hours before you can be vaccinated. Evening dose can be taken as usual but not earlier than 2 hours after the jab.
Xarelto or low molecular weight heparin:
- Do you take Xarelto / low molecular weight heparin in the morning
- vaccination in the morning: DO NOT take the morning dose. Get vaccinated at the clinic. 2 hours after the jab you can take your blood-thinning medicine
- vaccination in the afternoon : After your morning dose it should take at least 6 hours before you can get vaccinated.
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What Should My Healthcare Provider Know Before I Take This Medicine
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
- An allergic reaction to any medicine or vaccine, or to eggs or chickens
- An allergic reaction to latex
- A bleeding disorder, or if you currently take anticoagulant medicine such as clopidogrel , or warfarin
- A weakened immune system from cancer treatment, diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or from taking steroid medicines or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Seizures
Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have a fever or an infection of any kind. Young children who get inactivated flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine at the same time may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If your child takes aspirin regularly, talk with your provider before your child receives this vaccine.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Xarelto
You should not use rivaroxaban if you are allergic to it, or if you have active or uncontrolled bleeding.
Rivaroxaban can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia . This type of blood clot could cause long-term paralysis, and may be more likely to occur if:
- you have a genetic spinal defect
- you have a spinal catheter in place
- you have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps
- you have recently had a spinal tap or epidural anesthesia
- you are taking an NSAID–Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others or
- you are using other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots.
Rivaroxaban may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have:
- a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease
- hemorrhagic stroke
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Xarelto And Herbs And Supplements
Its possible that some herbs and supplements may interact with Xarelto. Interactions could affect the way Xarelto is either absorbed into or removed from your body. To be safe, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal products or supplements while youre taking Xarelto.
Xarelto and St. Johns wort
St. Johns wort is known to interact with Xarelto. In fact, this herb can lower the level of Xarelto in your body, which makes Xarelto less effective for you.
Because of this, you should avoid taking St. Johns wort while youre using Xarelto.
What Are The Benefits Of The Flu Vaccination
Getting the flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting the flu.
- Even if you catch the flu despite having the vaccination, your symptoms are likely to be milder and you are less likely to pass it onto others.
- If you catch the flu, you are likely to have fewer sick days.
- If you are pregnant, it protects you and your baby against the flu.
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Can I Get The Flu Vaccine If I’m Pregnant
Yes, it is strongly recommended that you get the flu vaccine if you are pregnant. It can be given at any pregnancy stage.Pregnant women are more likely to get severe complications from the flu than non-pregnant women, and it can be dangerous for their unborn baby too. Protection passed from the mother in pregnancy can protect her newborn as well. The flu vaccine has been proven to have an excellent safety record for both pregnant women and their unborn babies. Read more about pregnancy and immunisation.
What Is A Flu Vaccine
Influenza vaccines are vaccines that protect against the four influenza viruses that research indicates most common during the upcoming season. Most flu vaccines are flu shots given with a needle, usually in the arm, but there also is also a nasal spray flu vaccine.
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What About Other Medications
This completely depends on the type of medication. With most drugs, you are fine to get your flu shot. However, certain drugs can interact with the vaccine medications, including certain steroids and immune-suppressing drugs. Your doctor can give you advice based on the specific drugs youre on. They can also help you weigh the pros and cons of getting the flu shot with a pre-existing condition.
Follow Up And Outcome Assessment
We carried out three follow up visits: the first at the moment of vaccination, the second at 24 hours and the third at 10 days. The visits took place in the patients’ own practices and were carried out by health care professionals from their practice. When a patient failed to attend a visit, three attempts were made to contact him/her by telephone at different times. If they declined a request to come to the missed visit, they were asked for the reason and if they had had any side effects.
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Administration And Dosing Information
Xarelto comes in three different dosage forms and strengths, including 10-, 15- and 20-milligram tablets. The 10- and 15-milligram tablets are both round and red, with the weaker strength exhibiting a lighter red hue. The 20-milligram tablets are triangle-shaped and dark red.
For patients with atrial fibrillation , Xarelto is typically taken once a day with an evening meal. A patient taking Xarelto for the treatment of AF should never stop taking the medication without first talking to their doctor, as it can increase the risk of the individual having a stroke or forming blood clots in other parts of the body.
The recommended dose of Xarelto for the treatment of DVT and/or PE is 15 mg taken orally twice daily with food for the first 21 days. After this initial treatment period, the recommended dose of Xarelto is 20 mg taken orally once daily with food, at approximately the same time each day.
The recommended dose of Xarelto for reduction in the risk of recurrence of DVT or PE is 20 mg taken orally once daily with food at approximately the same time each day.
In patients taking Xarelto for prevention of deep vein thrombosis , which could result in pulmonary embolism following certain surgical procedures, the recommended daily dose is 10 milligrams taken once a day, with or without food. The initial dose should be taken at six to 10 hours after surgery once the patient has been stabilized .
What Should I Watch Out For
The flu vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu, but may not completely protect you. You still have a small chance of getting the flu even after a flu shot. If you do get the flu, your symptoms should be less severe, and you are less likely to develop complications. The flu vaccine will not protect against colds or viruses other than the flu.
For a day or two after you get the vaccine, you may feel sore where you had the shot or have a mild fever, headache, or tiredness. If any of these side effects lasts longer than 2 days or if they become severe, contact your healthcare provider.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Children may develop a fever after the shot. If the fever is high or lasts longer than 2 days, contact your healthcare provider.
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They Contain Allergens So Reactions Can Happen
Allergy shots work by exposing patients to tiny amounts of whatever it is they’re allergic to. The amount of allergen in each injection increases gradually over time so the body can build up a tolerance.
“It changes the person’s immune system from having a bad reaction to pretty much ignoring the allergen,” said Dr. Dziadzio. “For some people, it decreases their allergies enough so they can come off medicine entirely, and for some it helps their medicines be more effective.”
But because allergens are involved, reactions to the shots themselves are possible. These can range from swelling and itching at the injection site to sneezing and a runny nose, to, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock, which is severe and could be life-threatening. That’s why it’s recommended that patients stay at their healthcare provider’s office for 30 minutes after each shot so they can be monitored and treated for reactions if they do occur, according to MedlinePlus.
Can I Have The Flu Vaccine If I Have An Allergy To Egg
Yes, the brands of the flu vaccine for the 2022 flu season can be given to people with egg allergy. Studies have shown that flu vaccines containing one microgram or less of ovalbumin do not trigger anaphylaxis in sensitive people. The residual ovalbumin in one dose of the flu vaccine for the 2022 flu season is below this limit.
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Special Consideration Regarding Egg Allergy
People with egg allergies can receive any licensed, recommended age-appropriate influenza vaccine that is otherwise appropriate. People who have a history of severe egg allergy should be vaccinated in a medical setting, supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic reactions. Two completely egg-free flu vaccine options are available: quadrivalent recombinant vaccine and quadrivalent cell-based vaccine.
Can I Take Xarelto If Im Having A Dental Extraction
If youre having a tooth extraction , you may need to temporarily stop taking Xarelto. Otherwise, continuing to take the drug could increase your risk of bleeding from the procedure.
If youre going to have any dental procedures, talk with your doctor and dentist. They may want you to stop taking Xarelto at least 24 hours before having certain procedures, such as a tooth extraction.
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What Happens With Blood Clots
Blood clots form when certain blood cells and other substances stick together. If a blood clot forms inside one of your arteries, it can travel in your bloodstream to your heart or brain. Once there, the clot can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Blood clots can also form in the veins deep inside your body. These types of clots are called deep vein thrombosis . If these clots break loose, they can travel in your bloodstream and block blood flow to your lungs. This condition is called a pulmonary embolism .
Your risk of getting dangerous blood clots is increased by certain conditions and situations, such as:
- having a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation
- having coronary artery disease with CAD, the arteries in your heart are narrowed
- having peripheral artery disease with PAD, the arteries in your legs are narrowed
- a history of DVT
- staying in a hospital or not being able to move around much after leaving a hospital this risk is particularly important if you:
- are 75 years of age or older
- are overweight
- have a history of either cancer or heart failure
In all of these situations, your blood is prevented from flowing freely around your body. When this happens, your platelets can start clumping together inside your blood vessels. Platelets produce substances that activate clotting factors in your blood. When activated, clotting factors lead to the formation of blood clots.