How Common Is Gbs How Common Is It Among People Who Have Been Vaccinated Against Flu
The background rate for GBS in the Unites States is about 80 to 160 cases of GBS each week, regardless of vaccination. The data on the association between GBS and seasonal flu vaccination are variable and inconsistent across flu seasons. If there is an increased risk of GBS following flu vaccination it is small, on the order of one to two additional GBS cases per million doses of flu vaccine administered.
Are The Side Effects Worse If You Get Both Shots Together
Right now, its not known if this is the case. Keep in mind that not everyone has side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine and the same holds true with the flu shot.
Talk to your healthcare provider if youre concerned about getting the shots at the same time because of potential side effects or other reasons.
How Do Flu Vaccines Work
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with circulating influenza viruses.
Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. All flu vaccines in the United States are quadrivalent vaccines, which means they protect against four different flu viruses: an influenza A virus, an influenza A virus, and two influenza B viruses.
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Those Who Should Consider Having A Flu Vaccination
All those who have any condition listed above, or who are:
- aged 65 years or over
- living in a residential or nursing home
- the main carer of an older or disabled person
- a frontline health or social care worker
- children of a certain age
Those aged 50 to 64 years old will also be offered flu vaccination this year.
Cdc: Fewer Than Half Of Americans Get Flu Vaccine
Despite awareness campaigns and publicized risks, fewer than half of all Americans were vaccinated for the flu last season, according to findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In an online summary report released Sept. 28, CDC analyzed data from the National Immunization Survey-Flu and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to estimate vaccination coverage for the 2016-2017 flu season. Data was collected for people ages 6 months and older, and the report presented monthly coverage rates by age group, sex, race and ethnicity.
At a news conference held the day the report was released, then-U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, MD, said that vaccination coverage has plateaued in recent years. With overall coverage at 46.8 percent last season, many people did not receive a flu shot, despite the recommendations from medical and public health experts that everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated, except for rare exceptions.
Overall, coverage was higher for females than males in both children and adults, and was higher for women in all adult age groups. Coverage patterns were also different between racial and ethnic groups for Asians, vaccination coverage was 52.8 percent, compared with 43 percent among blacks. According to Daniel Jernigan, MD, MPH, influenza chief at CDC, disparities between age and racial groups might exist because some people are not used to receiving an annual vaccination.
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Governor Hochul Reminds New Yorkers To Get Vaccinated As Flu Season Begins
Releases New PSA Encouraging People to Get Vaccinated for Flu and COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccine Can Be Received at the Same Time as Flu Shot
Flu Cases Hit Record Low in 2020 Due to Mask Wearing and Social Distancing, Show Preventive Measures for 2021 Flu Season Will Be Critical
Governor Kathy Hochul today released a new Public Service Announcement encouraging New Yorkers to get both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine this season. The COVID-19 vaccine and/or a booster dose can be received at the same time as the seasonal flu shot. Flu season occurs primarily from October through May, often peaking between December and February.
“Vaccination is the best defense against both the flu and COVID-19,” said Governor Hochul. “Getting vaccinated is not just about protecting yourself, it also protects people around you. I urge all New Yorkers to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their family, friends and coworkers from both the flu and COVID-19 viruses.”
Transcript of the new PSA:
Are you ready for flu season?
With kids back in school and many people returning to work, we need to get ready for both flu and COVID this fall and winter.
Protect yourself, your family and your community by getting BOTH vaccines.
Everyone should get their flu shot– and people 12 and older should get a COVID vaccine, too.
Talk to your health care provider about getting flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Learn more at health.ny.gov/flu
Why We Need New Flu Vaccines Every Year
There are several reasons a new flu vaccine must be made each year.
Flu viruses can change from year to year, so the vaccine is updated to protect against new virus strains that are expected to circulate in the U.S. The vaccine needs to include influenza virus strains that most closely match those in circulation for the influenza season. In addition, the protection provided by the flu vaccine a person received in the previous year will diminish over time and may be too low to prevent influenza disease into next years flu season.
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Will We Ever Have A 2
Pairing flu shots with the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a second dose of an mRNA vaccine, or a booster, will make vaccination appointments one and done for many people.
In the future, the process could be even more streamlined. As soon as next year, you might be able to get the flu and COVID-19 shots as a single jaban advancement that will hopefully improve the uptake of both vaccines.
At least one company, Novavax, is working on a combination vaccine. In June, that the vaccine being tested may be a viable immunization strategy. While those results were promising, the study has yet to be peer-reviewed.
These results demonstrate the promising opportunity for vaccination, which may improve the uptake of both vaccines, said Gregory M. Glenn, MD, president of research and development at Novavax.
Knowledge Attitudes And Beliefs
Most adults reported that they knew enough about vaccines to make a decision about getting vaccinated.
Regarding the flu, most of the respondents believed that getting sick with the flu can be serious and that the flu can affect many people.
While 87% of individuals agreed that the flu shot is safe, there are still 43% of respondents who believed they might get the flu from the flu vaccine which is not true for any flu shot in Canada.
Two thirds of respondents agreed that the opinion of their family doctor, general practitioner or nurse practitioner is an important part of their decision for getting the flu shot.
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How The Flu Vaccine Works
Development of the seasonal flu vaccine actually begins many months ahead of flu season. The viruses used in the vaccine are based on extensive research and surveillance into which strains will be most common during the upcoming season.
Seasonal flu vaccines protect against two types of influenza viruses: influenza A and influenza B. They can also be either trivalent or quadrivalent.
The trivalent vaccine protects against three flu viruses: two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus.
The quadrivalent vaccine protects against the same three viruses as the trivalent vaccine, but it also includes an additional influenza B virus.
Can I Get The Flu Vaccine And The Covid Vaccine In The Same Visit
Yes. The C.D.C. says the vaccine maybe administered without regard to the timing of other vaccines.
Side effects are generally similar when the vaccines are given simultaneously as when they are administered alone, the C.D.C. says.
Dr. Kevin Ban, the chief medical officer at Walgreens, said, Not only is it possible, but we highly encourage people to be vaccinated for both flu and Covid.
Vaccines received at the same time do not cause cumulative reactions, Dr. L.J. Tan, Immunization Action Coalitions Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer, said in an interview. It is not like you are adding it on.
Common reactions to the flu vaccine can be a sore arm, and some people might get a little tired, he said.
If you do get the flu shot and the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time, experts advise using different arms to avoid soreness, or at least spacing the injection site for each shot by at least one inch.
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Who Should And Should Not Get Flu Shot
The CDC recommends shots for almost everyone over the age of six months. The shot can be particularly important for those with infants in the house who cannot be vaccinated.
People who have an allergy to eggs or who have had a severe reaction to another ingredient in the flu vaccine in the past should talk to their health care provider about whether its safe for them to get vaccinated, the CDC says.
Children Who Shouldnt Have The Vaccination
Children may not be able to have the nasal vaccine if they:
- are currently wheezy or have been wheezy in the past 72 hours, they should be offered a suitable injected flu vaccine to avoid a delay in protection
- have needed intensive care due to asthma or egg allergic anaphylaxis
- have a condition, or are on treatment, that severely weakens their immune system or have someone in their household who needs isolation because they are severely immunosuppressed
- are allergic to any other components of the vaccine
- have a condition that needs salicylate treatment
Also, children who have been vaccinated with the nasal spray should avoid close contact with people with very severely weakened immune systems for around 2 weeks following vaccination because theres an extremely remote chance that the vaccine virus may be passed to them.
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Why The Flu Vaccine Matters More This Year
This season, the flu will be “a little bit unpredictable,” Dr. Clare Rock, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, tells CNBC Make It.
One reason: Scientists usually develop the annual influenza vaccines based on the composition of the flu strains that circulated the year before. Last year’s anomaly means it’s trickier to make this year’s vaccine, Rock says.
When vaccines are “well-matched” to the circulating flu virus, they can reduce the risk of illness by between 40% and 60%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This year’s number may be harder to predict.
That’s no reason to forgo your flu shot this year. No vaccine is ever 100% effective, and if you’re vaccinated, you’re significantly less likely to get severely ill. “The thought is that this flu vaccine this year is going to be as effective as it typically is,” Rock says. “But there’s just one more challenge that has gone into the mix.”
Another challenge: the potential of the flu and Covid circulating at the same time. “During the Covid pandemic, there are troubles potentially around every corner,” Rock says. “So I think the premise that we’re taking really is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
For perspective, that’s about three times as many flu-related hospitalizations as the U.S. typically sees in a year.
Who Shouldnt Get The Flu Vaccine
While most people are advised to get the flu shot, there are some rare exceptions. For example, you shouldnt get the flu vaccine if youve had a life-threatening reaction to any of the vaccines ingredients . Not all flu vaccines contain these ingredients, so ask your pharmacist about which vaccines are safe for you.
However, youre still able to get a flu shot if you have an egg allergy. Certain flu vaccines dont contain any eggs at all. But if its a severe egg allergy and you receive a vaccine that has even small amounts of egg, you may need to get it under healthcare provider supervision in case you have a reaction.
Similarly, if youve had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past, you shouldnt get that same vaccine again. In this case, your healthcare provider can help advise you on your vaccine options.
You may also be instructed by your healthcare provider not to get the flu vaccine if youve ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome , a rare condition in which your immune system damages your nerves. While studies suggest that youre more likely to get GBS from the flu itself, it has been reported after vaccination, too. Certain other bacteria or viruses may also cause GBS.
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People Are Generally Receptive To Getting Vaccinated Where Covid
The opinions that Americans have regarding getting vaccinated could provide clues about how the public would receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In a survey conducted this summer, ValuePenguin found that 36% of people said they were going to get the coronavirus vaccine when it came out, no matter what. However, about 14% said they wouldn’t get vaccinated under any circumstances. Almost 10% said they wouldn’t vaccinate their kids.
Who pays for a COVID-19 vaccine? The federal government has stated that insurance companies will pay for a COVID-19 immunization once it’s available, meaning it will be free to those who want it who have health insurance. However, if that doesn’t happen, any copayment would have to be established by private health insurance companies and federal programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Right now, the latter two only explicitly pay for certain necessary vaccines.
The pushback against a COVID-19 vaccine was highest in two southern regions, one of which was the group of states consisting of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. Here, one in five said they wouldn’t get vaccinated against COVID-19, while 19% wouldn’t inoculate their kids.
These states had the highest average rates of transmission for COVID-19 from March to August
Everyone 6 Months And Older Should Get The Flu Shot
The flu shot is your best defence against the flu. The flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.
It can save lives by:
- protecting you, if you’re exposed to the virus
- preventing you from getting very sick
- protecting people close to you:
- because you’re less likely to spread the virus
- who are at higher risk of serious flu complications if they get the flu
The flu shot wont protect you against COVID-19.
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What Are Factors That Influence How Well Flu Vaccines Work
How well flu vaccines work can vary from season to season. Protection can vary depending on who is being vaccinated. At least two factors play an important role in determining the likelihood that vaccination will protect a person from flu illness: 1) characteristics of the person being vaccinated , and 2) how well the vaccines match the flu viruses spreading in the community. When flu vaccines are not well matched to one or more circulating influenza viruses, it is possible that vaccination may provide little or no protection from illness caused by those viruses, but still provide protection against other flu viruses that circulate during the season. When there is a good match between flu vaccines and circulating viruses, vaccination provides substantial benefits by preventing flu illness and complications. .
Each flu season, researchers try to determine how well flu vaccines work as a public health intervention. Estimates of how well a flu vaccine works can vary based on study design, outcome measured, population studied and type of flu vaccine. Differences between studies must be considered when results are compared.
Who Should Get The Flu Shot Who Shouldnt
People over 6 months of age should receive the flu shot each year.
Its particularly important for people who are at an increased risk for flu-related complications to be vaccinated.
This includes:
- anyone living or working in a nursing home or chronic care facility
- caregivers of any of the above
Children under 6 months of age shouldnt receive the influenza vaccine. To protect these children from potential exposure to the virus, all family members or caregivers should be vaccinated.
This is called herd immunity and will help protect those who cant receive the vaccine.
Additionally, if youre currently sick with an acute illness, you may need to wait until youre better to receive the vaccine.
Before youre vaccinated, you should let your doctor know if youve had:
- a prior allergic reaction to the flu vaccine
- complications from vaccines
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
These factors may indicate that you should not get the flu shot. But check with your doctor to see what they recommend.
Many flu shots contain a small amount of egg protein. If you have a history of egg allergies, talk with your doctor about receiving the flu shot.
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How Effective Are Flu Vaccines In Children
Vaccination has been found in most seasons to provide a similar level of protection against flu illness in children to that seen among adults.
In several studies, flu vaccine effectiveness was higher among children who received two doses of flu vaccine the first season that they were vaccinated compared to partially vaccinated children who only received a single dose of flu vaccine. However, in some seasons, partially vaccinated children still receive some protection.
In addition to preventing illness, flu vaccine can prevent severe, life-threatening complications in children, for example:
- A 2014 study showed that flu vaccine reduced childrens risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit admission by 74% during flu seasons from 2010-2012.
- In 2017, a study in the journal Pediatrics external icon was the first of its kind to show that flu vaccination also significantly reduced a childs risk of dying from flu. The study, which looked at data from four flu seasons between 2010 and 2014, found that flu vaccination reduced the risk of flu-associated death by half among children with underlying, higher risk medical conditions and by nearly two-thirds among healthy children.