How Is The Cell
The cell-based vaccine manufacturing process uses animal cells as a host for the growing flu viruses instead of fertilized chicken eggs. For the 2020-2021 season, the viruses provided to the manufacturer to be grown in cell culture are cell-derived rather than egg-derived. Learn more about the cell-based flu vaccine manufacturing process on CDCs How Flu Vaccines are Made web page.
Completing The Attestation Form
Once you have gotten your flu shot, you will need to complete Emorys Flu Attestation Form. You will not need to upload documentation about your flu shot, but you will need to provide the date you received it. Individuals who need a medical, religious or other exemption from the flu shot requirement can select this option on the form.
Flu Vaccine And People With Egg Allergies
Summary:
CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have not changed their recommendations regarding egg allergy and receipt of influenza vaccines. The recommendations remain the same as those recommended for the 2018-2019 season. Based on those recommendations, people with egg allergies no longer need to be observed for an allergic reaction for 30 minutes after receiving a flu vaccine. People with a history of egg allergy of any severity should receive any licensed, recommended, and age-appropriate influenza vaccine. Those who have a history of severe allergic reaction to egg should be vaccinated in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting , under the supervision of a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic conditions.
Most flu shots and the nasal spray flu vaccine are manufactured using egg-based technology. Because of this, they contain a small amount of egg proteins, such as ovalbumin. However, studies that have examined the use of both the nasal spray vaccine and flu shots in egg-allergic and non-egg-allergic patients indicate that severe allergic reactions in people with egg allergies are unlikely. A recent CDC study found the rate of anaphylaxis after all vaccines is 1.31 per one million vaccine doses given.
For the 2021-2022 flu season, there are two vaccines licensed for use that are manufactured without the use of eggs and are considered egg-free:
Changes:
Questions & Answers:
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Are All Influenza Vaccines The Same
While all influenza vaccines will protect against the same 4 flu viruses, different influenza vaccines are manufactured differently and different preparations have different indications as licensed by the FDA. In particular, each vaccine is licensed for a specific age range. All recipients should receive a vaccine that is appropriate for their age. In addition, LAIV is not recommended for use in some populations.
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.
Flu Shot Week 11/29 12/3
Flu Shot Week Monday, November 29th through Friday, December 3rd.
Are you prepared to travel for the holidays and winter break? Be sure to protect yourself with an influenza vaccine, prior to hitting the road. FREE flu vaccines for current Northeastern students, by appointment. Call UHCS 617-373-2772, to schedule your appointment during Flu Shot Week.
Appointments are required. Call 617-373-2772 to schedule an appointment.
Is the flu shot required?
In accordance with the MA Department of Public Health announcement , the flu vaccination is not required for students however it is strongly encouraged as we protect from both the flu and it could decrease symptoms that could be confused with COVID-19. For more information about the recommendation of a flu vaccine, please visit MA Department of Public Health.
What is influenza ?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Influenza virus can cause mild to severe illness. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn about the flu.
Why should I get flu vaccine?
Annual influenza vaccines are recommended for individuals 6 months of age and older, with few exceptions. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death.
When should I get a flu shot?
Where can I get a flu vaccine?
- Doctors office
- Public access clinic sponsored by cities and towns
- Outpatient department of a hospital
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Learn About The Safety Of Thimerosal A Preservative Used In Some Vaccines
A preservative-free flu shot is a type of flu vaccine that does not contain the antimicrobial agent known as thimerosal. Thimerosal, a mercury-based compound, is an ingredient in some vaccines because it prevents the growth of bacteria, fungus, or other microorganisms that might contaminate a vial when a needle is inserted.
Some people seek out preservative-free vaccinations because they’ve heard that vaccine ingredients like thimerosal can cause autism, a claim that clinical researchers have repeatedly been debunked.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the side effects of flu shots containing thimerosal are ultimately the same as those that are preservative-free.
Cvs Pharmacy And Minuteclinic
Note: MinuteClinic is a walk-in clinic located inside some CVS Pharmacy stores. Anyone who gets a flu vaccine at CVS or MinuteClinic will receive a $5 off of $25 CVS coupon.
- Price without insurance: $40 for seasonal, $70 for high-dose
- Vaccines available: CVS Pharmacy offers adult and high-dose vaccines MinuteClinic offers pediatric, adult, and high-dose vaccines
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Evergreen Flu Vaccine Ingredients: The Preservatives And Additives
Beyond the three to four viral components, a number of additives and preservatives are required to make vaccines effective and to keep them from going bad. These ingredients, sometimes covered as trade secrets by drug companies in less public drugs, have led to many a conspiracy theory that anti-vaxxers would have you latch onto. Its really much more boring than that.
Here are some of the ingredients you will find in the 2021-2022 flu vaccine and why theyre there.
The Ingredient: Aluminum Salts
Use: Boosts bodys response to the vaccine
The Ingredient: Sugar or gelatin
In: Most vaccines
In: Few flu vaccines only multi-dose vials
Use: Preservative
The CDC says: Thimerosal has a different form of mercury than the kind that causes mercury poisoning . Its safe to use ethylmercury in vaccines because its processed differently in the body and its less likely to build up in the body and because its used in tiny amounts. Even so, most vaccines do not have any thimerosal in them.
The Ingredient: Egg proteins
In: Some vaccines
Use: Growing the vaccine
The CDC says: Because influenza and yellow fever vaccines are both made in eggs, egg proteins are present in the final products. However, there are two new flu vaccines now available for people with egg allergies.
How Is Flublok Made
Flublok® is made by taking the genetic information from one protein of the flu virus and putting it into cultured cells that are grown in stainless steel tanks. These cells then make hundreds of copies of the HA protein, the small piece of the flu virus that is needed for immunity to develop. The proteins are then purified, and packaged into doses of Flublok® influenza vaccine. Each dose offers immunity against the three most commonly circulating virus strains each year, so that recipients receive optimum protection.
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Where To Get A Flu Shot
Most Blue Shield of California and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan members can get their flu shot at no extra cost as part of their preventive care benefits.
Some members may have to pay a low out-of-pocket cost for the shot. This applies to:
- Some pre-Affordable Care Act or grandfathered plans
- Some employer-sponsored, self-funded, or administrative services only plans
To check how much a flu shot may cost, please log in to your account. You can view your preventive care benefits by clicking Benefits under the myblueshield tab.
Who Should Get A Flu Shot
The CDC recommends an annual flu shot for most people 6 months of age and older, including pregnant people. If youve ever had a severe allergic reaction to the flu shot, you have an egg allergy, a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or you are feeling unwell, talk to your provider before you get a flu shot.
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Does Cvs At Egg Harbor Township New Jersey Offer Flu Shots
Flu shots are available at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations, including CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations found in Target, every day, including evenings and weekends. Schedule your flu shot ahead of time so you can get in and out faster. Provide your insurance information and answer questions online ahead of time. Find more flu shot FAQs and other flu vaccination resources.
*FOR FLU SHOTS: Flu shots available when immunizing pharmacist or MinuteClinic health care provider is on duty. Age restrictions apply. Eligible patients will not pay any copayments unless otherwise required by their plan, including Medicare Part B. Back
*FOR FLU SHOT RECOMMENDATION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequently asked influenza questions: 2020-2021 season. Updated July 28, 2020. Available at: . Accessed August 3, 2020. Back
How Is Flublok Different From Other Influenza Vaccines
Most influenza vaccines are made via an extremely complicated process that starts out with fertilized chicken eggs as a culture for the virus. This traditional method is extremely safe and effective however, advanced technologies have arrived on the scene. Flublok® is the only licensed influenza vaccine on the market that does not use eggs, antibiotics, or live influenza virus in any part of the manufacturing process. approval represents a technological advance in the manufacturing of an influenza vaccine, said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.1 The approval of Flublok stands as one of the most significant improvements in flu vaccine technology in the past 50 years.2 The vaccine is made via a cutting edge, cell-based technology that is very similar to that used to create cervical cancer vaccines. The FDA has also referred to Flublok as Revolutionary.3 According to Jerry P. Weir, Ph.D., the director of the Division of Viral Products in the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Flublok® is an important advance that will supplement egg-based vaccines.3 Flublok® is also preservative-free.
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Where Can You Get Free Flu Shots
Free flu shots are easier to find than you might think. If you’re a college student, most colleges offer free flu shots on-campus, while many employers offer free flu shots to their staff, says Dr. Sonpal.
Free flu shots are also available at your local pharmacies and some grocery stores. CVS and MinuteClinic locations in Target, for example, offer free flu shots every day at no cost through most health insurance policies and with no appointment necessary, according to a CVS representative.
Walgreens offers free flu shots through most health insurance policies, as well. You can get vaccinated during pharmacy and clinic hours every day without an appointment. The pharmacy is also currently running its “Get A Shot. Give A Shot” campaign: For every shot administered at a Walgreens pharmacy or health-care clinic between now and January 31, 2020, Walgreens will donate a vaccine to a child in need, “up to an aggregate donation value of $2.6 million,” says Rina Shah, pharmacy operations group vice president of Walgreens.
Wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco offer free flu vaccinations, tooand you don’t even have to be a member to get one, adds Dr. Sonpal. Military veterans enrolled in healthcare through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can also receive a free vaccination at Veterans Affairs health-care facilities.
How Is Flu Vaccine Safety Evaluated
The CDC, Food and Drug Administration , National Institutes of Health , American Academy of Pediatrics , Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , and National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine have all declared that the use of thimerosal in vaccines is safe and effective.
The safety profile of traditional and preservative-free flu shots is considered equal. Possible side effects of both thimerosal-containing vaccines and preservative-free vaccines include:
- Pain and swelling at the injection site
- Low-grade fever
- Fatigue
Side effects are typically mild and resolve within a day or two.
However, if you develop wheezing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, loss of consciousness, or swollen lips, tongue, or throat, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. These could be the signs of a rare and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
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Who Can Get Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine
All flu vaccines in the United States are quadrivalent. Different vaccines are approved for different age groups. Information on approved flu vaccines for the 2021-2022 flu season, and age indications for each vaccine are available in CDCs Table: U.S. Influenza Vaccine Products for the 2021-2022 Season.
How Much Influenza Vaccine Is Projected To Be Available For The 2021
Flu vaccine is produced by private manufacturers, so supply depends on manufacturers. Vaccine manufacturers have projected that they will supply the United States with as many as 188 million to 200 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2021-2022 season. These projections may change as the season progresses. All flu vaccines for the 2021-2022 season will be quadrivalent . Most will be thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced vaccine and about 18% of flu vaccines will be egg-free.
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Supermarkets And Big Box Stores
Most of the country’s large grocery store chains, including Stop & Shop, Kroger, and Safeway, have pharmacies on the premises that offer free flu shots with most health insurance plans. Even stores without pharmacies may sponsor pop-up flu shot clinics on site. You can also grab a flu shot when you’re making your weekly bulk-grocery run to Sam’s Club or Costco.
What Are The Possible Benefits Of Using Cell
Observational studies have shown greater protection against flu or flu-like illness among people who received Flucelvax compared to those who received standard-dose egg-based vaccines.
A potential advantage of cell culture technology is that it might permit faster start-up of the vaccine manufacturing process in the event of a pandemic. The cells used to manufacture Flucelvax Quadrivalent are kept frozen and banked. Cell banking ensures an adequate supply of cells is readily available for vaccine production. Growing the flu viruses in cell culture for the manufacture of Flucelvax Quadrivalent is not dependent on an egg supply. Cell-based flu vaccines that are produced using CVVs have the potential to be more effective than traditional egg-based flu vaccines.
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Who Should Avoid The Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine is very effective, but it isnt right for everyone.
Dont get the vaccine if youve had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient it contains, including egg protein.
You also should avoid the flu vaccine if youve had Guillain-Barré syndrome. In 1976, a swine flu vaccine was linked to an increased risk for Guillain-Barré, which causes the immune system to attack and damage the protective coating around nerve cells.
Guillain-Barré syndrome causes extreme weakness and tingling in the limbs, known as severe peripheral neuropathy. It can be life-threatening in rare cases.
Theres no clear link between the current flu vaccine and Guillain-Barré. If any risk exists, its very small, affecting about 1 out of every 1 million people vaccinated.
The vaccine also isnt recommended for babies under 6 months old because it hasnt been proven safe in infants.
Talk to your doctor if you have a weakened immune system, or if you take medicine to suppress your immune system. You may not respond as well to the vaccine.
If youre sick, you might want to put off the flu shot until you feel better.
Are Any Of The Available Flu Vaccines Recommended Over The Others
Yes, for some people. For the 2022-2023 flu season, there are three flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older. These are Fluzone High-DoseQuadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinantflu vaccine or Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine. On June 22, 2022, CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted unanimously to preferentially recommend these vaccines overstandard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. This recommendation was based on a review of available studies which suggests that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. There is no preferential recommendation for people younger than 65 years.
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Does Cvs At Melbourne Florida Offer Flu Shots
Flu shots are available at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations, including CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations found in Target, every day, including evenings and weekends. Schedule your flu shot ahead of time so you can get in and out faster. Provide your insurance information and answer questions online ahead of time. Find more flu shot FAQs and other flu vaccination resources.
*FOR FLU SHOTS: Flu shots available when immunizing pharmacist or MinuteClinic health care provider is on duty. Age restrictions apply. Eligible patients will not pay any copayments unless otherwise required by their plan, including Medicare Part B. Back
*FOR FLU SHOT RECOMMENDATION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequently asked influenza questions: 2020-2021 season. Updated July 28, 2020. Available at: . Accessed August 3, 2020. Back