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.
Thursday 15 July 2021
The main points from this weeks national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report are:
Surveillance indicators suggest that at a national level COVID-19 activity increased in week 27 of 2021.
Case rates rose in all age groups with the most significant increase seen in younger age groups.
Case rates continued to be highest in those aged 20 to 29, with a 7-day rate of 747.3 per 100,000 population.
The lowest case rates were in those aged 80 and above, with a 7-day rate of 39.9 per 100,000 population.
Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population increased across all regions.
Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population were highest in the North East at 835.8.
Case rates per 100,000 were lowest in the South East, with a 7-day rate of 249.4.
The number of acute respiratory infection incidents in England was 641 in week 27, compared to 623 in the previous week.
The hospital admission rate for week 27 was 4.43 per 100,000 population, in the previous week it was 2.76 per 100,000 population.
Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 were highest in the North West, with a rate of 10.46 per 100,000 population.
The highest hospital admission rates continue to be those aged 85 and above.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England, said:
Experts Suggest Canadians Put Away Their Bird Feeders Amid Rise In Avian Flu
As more and more birds fall ill with avian flu, poultry farmers and wildlife facilities in Canada are on edge, with officials placing region-specific bans on the transport of live birds and poultry products and experts advising Canadians to remove bird feeders to combat the spread.
Avian flu is an infectious virus spread primarily among birds, and can range from lowly pathogenic to highly pathogenic. The severe form attacks multiple internal organs within the infected bird, causing death in nine out of ten cases.
Since 2021, Canada has been battling outbreaks of avian flu. As of last week, more than 1.37 million birds have been impacted across the country since 2021.
According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency , they are currently responding to cases of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in farmed birds across Canada.
Over the last few weeks, an increase in reported cases among both farmed and wild birds has caused a new swell of concern.
In late April, OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Metro Vancouver, B.C., issued a statement on Facebook explaining that they were dealing with an avian flu outbreak and that it had already impacted or killed several of the wild birds they care for.
General manager Rob Hope told CTV News Vancouver on Wednesday that they had seen about four positive cases come in, and have six that are considered potential cases. Their first case was in March.
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Effectiveness Of Flu Vaccines
It is too early in the season to be able to make a judgement on the effectiveness of current flu vaccines in protecting against severe illness we simply dont have sufficient data yet. It is possible that that the A vaccine may not be as effective as we would like against the prevalent A viruses, which is why antivirals also need to play a large role in protecting our vulnerable populations.
A Pharmacy Or Grocery Store Can Be A Fast Way To Get A Flu Shot But Are Places Like These Safe
Yes, its perfectly safe to get your flu shot at your local pharmacy or grocery store, provided the workers and nearby patrons are following COVID-19 safety guidelines, says Chen.
CVS Pharmacy, for instance, offers flu shots for walk-in patients or by appointment, and ensures safety with the following precautions:
- All staff, patients, and outside customers must abide by physical distancing guidelines.
- Pharmacists wear masks, gloves, and face shields.
- Patients are required to wear face coverings and answer COVID-19 screening questions.
The more convenient getting a flu shot is, the more people will get one, Chen adds. VaccineFinder can show you locations in your area that offer flu shots.
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How To Get Immunized Safely
- Book an appointment using the new centralized vaccine booking tool at bookvaccine.alberta.ca.
- Phone Health Link at 811 to receive help in booking one or multiple vaccination appointments for family members and children.
- Contact your local pharmacist to inquire about opportunities to drop in for your vaccination.
- Contact your local physician to make an appointment.
- Arrive as close to the appointment time as you can.
- Stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate and complete the AHS online assessment.
- Follow safety protocols: wear a mask, wash your hands, stay 2 metres apart when possible.
- Fill out forms online when possible.
Staff and volunteers at clinics and venues offering influenza immunization must follow their employers’ policies for COVID-19 screening.
Thursday 29 July 2021
The main points from this weeks national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report are:
Surveillance indicators suggest that at a national level COVID-19 activity decreased in some indicators in week 29 of 2021.
Case rates continued to be highest in those aged 10 to 19, with a 7-day rate of 657.6 per 100,000 population.
The lowest case rates were in those aged 80 and above, with a 7-day rate of 65.8 per 100,000 population.
Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population decreased across all regions.
Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population were highest in the North East at 520.9.
Case rates per 100,000 were lowest in the East of England, with a 7-day rate of 298.7.
The number of acute respiratory infection incidents in England was 600 in week 29, compared to 725 in the previous week.
The hospital admission rate for week 29 was 7.06 per 100,000 population, in the previous week it was 6.06 per 100,000 population.
Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 were highest in the North East, with a rate of 14.69 per 100,000 population.
The highest hospital admission rates continue to be those aged 85 and above.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England, said:
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
If, based on the symptoms, you believe you may have the flu, call your healthcare provider right away. Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu can lessen the severity and duration of the flu if started within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.
Your healthcare provider may want you to come in to confirm the influenza virus with a rapid in-office test or may prescribe an antiviral solely based on your symptoms and flu activity in your area.
You should also contact your healthcare provider if symptoms continue to worsen after a week, or if you develop a fever or productive cough after you have started to feel better. This could indicate a secondary infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Other symptoms that require a call to your healthcare provider include severe muscle pain, weakness, or unsteadiness, and any worsening of chronic medical conditions.
What Is Influenza Surveillance
Each year, DHEC and U.S. public health experts monitor influenza and other diseases. This activity is called disease surveillance.
Influenza surveillance allows DHEC and the CDC to see what impact flu is having on the health of residents. Surveillance helps us to:
- Determine whether the influenza virus is what is causing flu-like symptoms
- Understand which new flu viruses are circulating in South Carolina
- Tell us when the influenza virus first appears in the state and also when it decreases
- Determine where in the state the influenza virus is circulating and
- Understand what types of vaccines are most likely to succeed the following year.
In South Carolina, influenza surveillance consists of several components. Each component provides different types of information about influenza together, they create a solid overview of influenza activity in the state.
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Things You Can Do To Prevent Bird Flu
If you’re visiting a foreign country that’s had an outbreak you should:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw poultry
- use different utensils for cooked and raw meat
- make sure meat is cooked until steaming hot
- avoid contact with live birds and poultry
What not to do:
- do not go near or touch bird droppings or sick or dead birds
- do not go to live animal markets or poultry farms
- do not bring any live birds or poultry back to the UK, including feathers
- do not eat undercooked or raw poultry or duck
- do not eat raw eggs
The Human Health Effects Of Avian Flu
Although human cases of avian flu are rare, people who become infected with the H5N1 virus can become seriously ill and may die. The symptoms can resemble those of human influenza, including fever, cough, aching muscles and a sore throat. The human health effects of avian flu can also include eye infections and serious respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
At this time, there is no vaccine to provide people with specific protection against avian flu. Studies suggest that certain anti-viral drugs designed to fight human influenza may also help prevent serious illness in people who become infected with the avian flu virus.
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Weekly Us Map: Influenza Summary Update
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Articles On Flu Risks & Prevention
How many people get the flu each year? How much does it cost us? How well does the vaccine work?
Here’s a rundown of some important statistics based on the best available data.
5% to 20% — Percentage of the U.S. population that will get the flu, on average, each year.
200,000 — Average number of Americans hospitalized each year because of problems with the illness.
8,200 to 20,000 — Number of people who die each year from flu-related causes in the U.S.
$10 billion+ — Average costs of hospitalizations and outpatient doctor visits related to the flu.
1 to 4 days — Typical time it takes for symptoms to show up once you’ve caught the virus. Adults can be contagious from the day before symptoms begin through 5 to 10 days after the illness starts.
Peak flu season in the U.S.
162 million to 169 million — Number of flu vaccine doses expected to be available in the U.S. for the 2019-2020 flu season.
6 months — The youngest age for which the CDC recommends a flu shot.
Swine flu — A new type that spread worldwide during 2009-2010, causing the first flu pandemic — global outbreak of disease — caused by a new flu virus in more than 40 years. It’s estimated that the pandemic caused more than 12,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S. In contrast to seasonal flu, nearly 90% of the deaths were of people younger than 65.
3 viruses — You get protection from two influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus with the 2019-206 “trivalent” flu vaccine:
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Thursday 5 August 2021
The main points from this weeks national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report are:
Surveillance indicators suggest that at a national level COVID-19 activity decreased in some indicators in week 30 of 2021.
Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population decreased across all age groups but still remain high.
Case rates were highest in those aged 20 to 29, with a 7-day rate of 611 per 100,000 population and second highest in those aged 10 to 19 with a 7-day rate of 512.4 per 100,000 population.
The lowest case rates were in those aged 80 and above, with a 7-day rate of 62.3 per 100,000 population.
Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population decreased across all regions.
Seven-day case rates per 100,000 population were highest in Yorkshire and the Humber at 354.7.
Case rates per 100,000 were lowest in the South East, with a 7-day rate of 229.5.
The number of acute respiratory infection incidents in England was 407 in week 30, compared to 600 in the previous week.
The hospital admission rate for week 30 was 7.05 per 100,000 population, in the previous week it was 7.32 per 100,000 population.
Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 were highest in the North East, with a rate of 13.66 per 100,000 population.
The highest hospital admission rates continue to be those aged 85 and above.
Professor Isabel Oliver, Incident Director on COVID-19 for Public Health England, said:
Theres Hardly Any Flu In My Area Right Now Can I Wait To Get My Flu Shot
You shouldnt wait until flu activity is high in your community before you get a shot, says the CDC.
While there may not be any cases of flu in your area right now, the virus can start spreading at any time.
Keep in mind, too, that you dont become immune to the flu as soon as you get the shot. Your body takes about two weeks to develop antibodies that protect against flu.
Ideally, you should get vaccinated against flu by the end of October so youre protected once the flu arrives in your community.
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Timeline Of Avian Flu Outbreaks In The Uk
- – Defra animal health laboratory confirm an outbreak at a duck farm in East Yorkshire as being caused by highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza. The strain is very low risk to humans.
- – Highly pathogenic avian influenza H7N7 confirmed in a commercial flock of chickens in Oxfordshire.
- – Sporadic deaths due to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in mute swans in Dorset .
- – H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza reported at turkey farms Norfolk and Suffolk.
- May 2007 – A low pathogenic strain of avian influenza H7N2 has confirmed on a small farm located in north Wales.
- – H5N1 avian influenza confirmed on a commercial turkey farm in Suffolk. Only a single outbreak occurs.
- First UK report of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in a single wild bird found dead in the harbour at Cellardyke, Fife.
- Low pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza confirmed at three poultry farms within 3km from each other in Norfolk.
- – Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza confirmed in an imported parrot, held in quarantine, that died three days earlier.
How Bird Flu Spreads To Humans
Bird flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird .
This includes:
- touching droppings or bedding
- killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking
Markets where live birds are sold can also be a source of bird flu. Avoid visiting these markets if you’re travelling to countries that have had an outbreak of bird flu. You can check health advice for the country you’re visiting on the TravelHealthPro website.
You can’t catch bird flu through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak of bird flu.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Influenza
Flu symptoms often appear suddenly. People at higher risk of complications, such as those with chronic lung disease, should seek prompt medical attention. Treatment may include antiviral medicine which can reduce symptoms if started within a day or two of getting sick.
Symptoms of influenza can include:
- Sudden onset of high fever
- Headache, muscle aches and joint pain
- Nasal congestion and runny nose
- Fatigue
- Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may occur but are more common in children than adults.
Most people recover from the flu within one or two weeks, but others, especially the elderly, may feel weak for a long time even after other symptoms go away.
Reporting Suspected Cases Of Bird Flu
Bird flu is a notifiable disease in animals, so you should report any suspected case in animals to the Animal and Plant Health Agency , even if you’re not sure.
Call the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs helpline on 03459 33 55 77 if you find dead wild birds.
To prevent infection it is important not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.
Also Check: Which Flu Shot To Get This Year
Thursday 29 April 2021
The main points from this weeks national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report are:
Surveillance indicators suggest that at a national level COVID-19 activity decreased slightly in week 16 of 2021.
Case rates continue to be highest in those aged 10 to 19, with a case rate of 45.5 per 100,000 population. A slight increase compared to the previous week.
The lowest case rates were in those aged 80 and above, with a rate of 6.3 per 100,000 population.
Case rates per 100,000 remain highest in Yorkshire and the Humber, at 44.7.
Case rates per 100,000 are lowest in the South West, with a rate of 14.2.
The number of acute respiratory infection incidents in England was 106 in week 16, compared to 97 in the previous week.
Seroprevalence data indicates around 63.3% of the population have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from either infection or vaccination, compared to 16.0% from infection alone.
The hospital admission rate for COVID-19 has fallen it was 1.24 per 100,000 in week 16, compared to 1.48 per 100,000 in the previous week.
Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 are highest in Yorkshire and the Humber, with a rate of 1.75.
The highest hospital admission rates continue to be those aged 85 and above.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director of Public Health England, said: