Concerns About Side Effects
If the side effect following immunisation is unexpected, persistent, or severe, or if you are worried about yourself or your childs condition after a vaccination, see your doctor or immunisation nurse as soon as possible or go directly to a hospital.
Immunisation side effects may be reported to the SAEFVAC, the central reporting service in Victoria on 1300 882 924 .
You can discuss how to report problems in other states or territories with your immunisation provider.
The symptoms of COVID-19 and flu can be similar.
If you are unwell with flu-like symptoms, contact the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398 or your GP to check if you require COVID-19 testing.
Who Should Get A Flu Vaccine
With rare exceptions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. People with egg allergies can still get flu shots, although those with life-threatening allergies to other vaccine ingredients, like gelatin or antibiotics, should not.
Dr. Gandhi emphasized that those who are pregnant should get a flu shot this year, because they are more likely than others to get severely ill with the flu. Flu shots have been given to millions of pregnant people over the years, and they are safe, Dr. Gandhi said. By getting the flu vaccine when pregnant, babies will also be protected, because flu-fighting antibodies are passed to the infant and provide protection after they are born.
/8can You Get A Flu And Covid
COVID-19 is still rampant and it seems like it is here to stay. That said, getting your COVID vaccines is of utmost importance. Simultaneously, you must also take your flu shots immediately.
According to updated guidelines about COVID-19 vaccines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , you can now get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot at the same time as another vaccine, such as the flu shot.
Earlier CDC guidelines recommended a hold on other vaccines within 14 days of getting COVID vaccine.
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When To Call Your Doctor
- If your sore throat is severe.
- You have a sore throat isn’t better after 3 days.
- Youâve had a fever higher than 100.4 F for more than 2 days.
- You have other medical problems such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, diabetes, or are pregnant. You may be at a higher risk of complications from infections from a sore throat.
Seek emergency medical help if you have a sore throat and have trouble breathing or swallowing.
Show Sources
Jeffrey A. Linder, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School associate physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston.
Steven Y. Park, MD, assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York.
Gordon J. Siegel, MD, FACS, assistant clinical professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: âSeasonal Influenza . Cold Versus Flu,â âGet Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work. Sore Throat,â âGet Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work. Common Cold and Runny Nose,â âIs It Strep Throat?â
National Institutes of Health: âNews In Health: Soothing a Sore Throat.â
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: âStrep Throat.â
Practice Good Health Habits
Flu viruses spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes near another person. They may also spread when people touch something covered with infected droplets and then touch their eyes, mouth, or nose.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Flu virus is spread to other people when you cough or sneeze into your hands and then touch other things.
- Clean and sanitize places that are touched regularly, such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- Wash your hands frequently with water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Get plenty of sleep, exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
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‘normal’ To Feel A Bit Unwell After Covid Vaccine
Some people will feel unwell after their Covid vaccine – but that is entirely normal and to be expected, doctors say.
More than one in 10 people may feel after-effects, including headache, tiredness and tenderness where the injection was given.
But people must not be deterred from having the vaccine, which saves lives, the Royal College of GPs says.
After-effects are usually mild and disappear within days, experts say.
But they can still feel quite grim.
David Kidd, 49, from Yorkshire, was unprepared for the cluster of symptoms he experienced shortly after his first dose.
“I had heard that there were some possible ones,” he says.
“They do say you might get flu-like symptoms but I was not expecting to get lots of them together.
“I had the vaccine at 12:00 on Saturday and I felt fine for the rest of the day, until about 18:00 that evening.”
Mr Kidd had:
- a temperature
- freezing cold extremities
“It felt like I had plunged my hands and feet into ice or a freezer,” he says.
“It was really painful and my head was banging away. It was the worst headache I have ever had in my life.
“And my eyes were burning, along with the obligatory nausea.
“I couldn’t get comfortable all through the night.”
Should I Get The Flu Vaccine If I’m Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
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Years of studies and observation show that you can safely get a flu shot at any time, during any trimester, while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Babies cannot get the vaccine until six months old. Because antibodies from the vaccine pass onto a fetus in the womb and through breast milk, you protect your baby even more by getting vaccinated.
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Pregnant people should not get the nasal spray form of the flu vaccine. Those with a life-threatening egg allergy should not get the flu vaccine, whether pregnant or not.
Sources
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Can I Have Flu And Covid
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Yes. It is possible to have flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be.
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Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Diagnostic testing can help determine if you are sick with flu or COVID-19.
Is It Normal To Feel Sick After The Flu Shot
On average, about 20,000 people die from the flu every year.
FDA approves new flu medication in the form of a single-dose pill
Mrs. Jones, would you like the flu vaccine today?
No, doc. When I was younger I would get it and always get sick, so now — at my age — I think I will pass on it this year and take my chances.
This a very common exchange across all primary care providers offices at this time of the year — and a great opportunity to really try to understand why Mrs. Jones feels that the vaccines made her sick, and an opportunity for educational awareness about the flu vaccine.
The influenza, or flu, is responsible for approximately 20,000 deaths per year on average in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The American Academy of Family Physicians states that every year about 130,000 people go to a hospital with the flu.
An effective, important way to protect yourself is by getting a flu shot — which cannot actually give you the flu. There are many reasons why people dont get the flu vaccine, but I hope that you will find facts and clarifications on common misconceptions about the vaccine below.
1. What is the flu?
Influenza is an infection in the nose, throat and lungs caused by a virus. This may be the worst cold of your life.
2. What are some of the symptoms of the flu?
3. How does the vaccine work?
4. Can I take medications instead of the flu shot?
5. What are side effects of the flu vaccine?
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Redness Or Swelling At The Injection Site
Anytime you pierce the skin and put something into the body it can cause a topical reaction, says Dr. Adalja. This is just a sign that your immune system is activating.
But this redness and swelling where you get your shot is a common side effect that only typically lasts a few days. Itll go away on its own, but if its really bugging you, you can take ibuprofen or acetominophen .
Questions & Answers From The Cdc*
Can a flu shot give you the flu?
No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated , which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got the flu shot. There were no differences in terms of body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat.
- Carolyn Bridges et al. . Effectiveness and cost-benefit of influenza vaccination of healthy working adults: A randomized controlled trial.
- Kristin Nichol et al. . The effectiveness of vaccination against influenza in healthy working adults. NEJM Medicine. 333: 889-893.
Can the nasal spray flu vaccine give you the flu?
Unlike the flu shot, the nasal spray vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses contained in the nasal spray flu vaccine are attenuated , which means they cannot cause flu illness. These weakened viruses are also cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only cause mild infection at the cooler temperatures found within the nose. These viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas of the body where warmer temperatures exist.
Is it better to get the flu than the flu vaccine?
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Should I Talk To My Doctor Before I Get A Flu Shot
Some people should make sure itâs OK to get vaccinated. Ask your doctor or pharmacist first if:
- Youâve had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past.
- Youâve had Guillain-Barre syndrome that happened after you got the flu vaccine. Thatâs a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the nervous system.
- Youâre very ill. If you have a mild illness, it’s OK to get vaccinated. Otherwise, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
Show Sources
CDC: “Estimating Seasonal Influenza-Associated Deaths in the United States: CDC Study Confirms Variability of Flu,” âKey Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine.â
Flu.gov.
People At Higher Risk From Flu
Anyone can get sick with flu, even healthy people, and serious problems related to flu can happen to anyone at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions , pregnant people and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.
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/8most Common Side Effects Of Flu Vaccine To Watch Out For
Similar to the novel coronavirus, the Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It infects the nose, throat and the lungs and can affect both adults and children alike.
A person infected with flu may develop symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and body aches. In more severe cases, it may induce nausea and gastrointestinal issues.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, flu cases during the 2020-2021 season were “unusually low”. This contributes to the nationwide lockdowns and high levels of vigilance shown by the people. However, with restrictions lifted and people becoming more relaxed , not only did global COVID-19 cases surge, but there was also an increase in flu cases.
That said, health officials have urged people to not only get themselves vaccinated against the SARs-COV-2 virus, but also against flu.
Myth #: You Don’t Need To Get The Flu Vaccine Every Year
There are two reasons why doctors recommend that people get the flu vaccine every year, Cunningham said.
For one, the strains of the flu virus that are circulating change from year to year. “It’s like the common cold there’s more than one type of virus that causes the flu,” and, in fact, there are hundreds of flu viruses, he said.
Each year, health officials identify the virus strains that are the most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season, according to the CDC.
Second, the immunity you develop after getting the shot wanes by the following year. “If you get your shot in August, you’ll be safe through March, but those antibodies won’t be for the next flu season,” Cunningham said.
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You Don’t Have Any Other Coronavirus Symptoms
Since there are so many things that can cause a sore throat, it can be a challenge to know if yours is COVID-related. Fortunately, you can rest assured that a sore throat alone is not actually that common a coronavirus symptom. A joint report from the World Health Organization and Chinese researchers found that only 13.9 percent of COVID patients experience a sore throat.
According to Leann Poston, MD, a licensed physician and medical advisor for Invigor Medical, if your sore throat is COVID, you’re likely to experience more common symptoms such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, sputum production, and shortness of breath. However, since there is no way to fully differentiate, you should get a COVID test to make absolutely sure your sore throat is not the virus. And for more on the future of the pandemic, Dr. Fauci Just Said These 3 Things Are About to Make COVID Worse.
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Some Vaccines Are Better Suited Than Others
Michael Clements, a GP and spokesperson for the Australia Medical Association Queensland, said there is a difference between the flu vaccines you pay for, and those that are free.
Dr Clements said the best vaccine is the free one offered by the Government to those who are eligible that is, people aged over 65, under the age of five, and those with chronic illnesses.
These vaccines are considered superior by doctors because they are specially purchased by the Government to meet the specific needs of those groups.
For example, those aged over 65 need a stronger vaccine compared to the rest of the population.
The vaccine for the rest of the population available from a GP, pharmacy, or offered by an employer can be provided by different brands through private contracts.
Dr Clements said, vaccines are considered inferior for over-65s, children and the chronically ill, they are completely fine for the fit and healthy population.
It’s important to note that all influenza vaccines administered in Australia are approved by the Therapeutical Goods Administration.
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Where To Get The Flu Vaccine
You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy offering the service
- your midwifery service if you’re pregnant
- a hospital appointment
If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. This will be done for you.
It’s important to go to your vaccination appointments unless you have symptoms of COVID-19.
Flu Vaccine For People With Long
The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition, including:
- a learning disability
- problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
Talk to your doctor if you have a long-term condition that is not in one of these groups. They should offer you the flu vaccine if they think you’re at risk of serious problems if you get flu.
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Getting Your Flu Shot Has Never Been Easier Who Should Get One And Why
Tuesday, November 2nd 2021, 5:50 am – Its that time of year for Canadians the dreaded cold and flu season.
While theres no stopping the seasonal virus from knocking on Canadas door, there are ways to reduce your risk of infection.
However, the difficult question is how to identify the differences between the flu, otherwise known as the influenza virus and the common cold.
Whats commonly known as the flu is actually caused by the influenza virus, said Rexall Senior Manager, Amit Joshi.
The influenza virus is an airborne virus a lot of the symptoms overlap with the common cold. However, the key difference with the flu is that the onset of symptoms is a lot quicker and a lot more severe.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the flu usually comes on ‘suddenly’.
While everyones experience with the flu is different, the CDC provides a list of common flu symptoms, which can include:
- fever or feeling feverish/chills
- fatigue
- vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
Joshi explains that people are more prone to getting sick during the fall and winter months.
“In the fall and the winter, the air is a alot drier and cold which makes it easier for the influenza virus to spread. But also were indoors, so were in close physical contact with each other. It is an airborne virus, so its spread through coughing, sneezing through the droplets and touching surfaces that someone who is infected may have touched.”