Meningitis And Flu Vaccine Together

Who Flu Jabs Are Free For

Yearly flu vaccinations are free for:

• pregnant people
• people aged 65 years and over
• Mori and Pacific people aged 55 years and over
• people who have a long-term medical condition like diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition
• children 4 years old or younger who have been in hospital with respiratory illness such as asthma.

If youre eligible for a free flu shot, contact your GP or healthcare provider to make a booking.

Reimbursement Arrangements For Employee Influenza Vaccinations

We encourage health and disability care employers including DHBs to fund influenza immunisation programmes for their workforce.

The Ministry of Health will reimburse eligible employers of health and disability workers for the costs of immunising their staff against influenza. You can claim for reimbursement through to 30 September 2021.

Claims should be submitted by filling out and sending the form below to .

Employers can claim costs incurred for influenza vaccination, as supported by appropriate documentation, to a maximum of $35+GST per person.

Eligibility for reimbursement

Reimbursement is available for health and disability sector employees, self-employed lead maternity carers, and carers employed under individualised funding arrangements who:

• are not eligible for a funded vaccination under the eligibility criteria stated in the Pharmaceutical Schedule
• have patient/client contact
• have not previously been the recipient of an employer-funded influenza vaccination whilst in their current place of employment .

What Causes Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in sputum, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements. The virus is spread from an infected person to another by coughing, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. You may also get a type of viral meningitis if you are bitten by a mosquito that carries the West Nile virus. Ask healthcare providers for more information about how to prevent West Nile virus.

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Why The Recommendations Changed

Both the CDC and AAP say safety data and a need to catch up children and teens on missed vaccinations played a role.

“The AAP supports giving other childhood and adolescent immunizations at the same time as COVID-19 vaccines, particularly for children and teens who are behind on their immunizations, the AAPs statement reads. Between the substantial data collected on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and the extensive experience with non-COVID-19 vaccines which shows the immune response and side effects are generally similar when vaccines are given together as when they are administered alone, the benefits of co-administration and timely catch up on vaccinations outweigh any theoretical risk.

Woodworth also said that updated co-administration recommendations may facilitate catch up vaccination of adolescents. She cited data that showed the administration of many other vaccines has declined during the pandemic.

Specifically, vaccine orders from providers were down 11.7 million doses as of May 2, 2021 when compared with 2019. The gap was largest in vaccines usually given to teens, including:

• The Tdap vaccine
• HPV vaccine
• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine

Vaccines For Adults And Seniors

The National Immunisation Program schedule provides free vaccinations for adults and seniors. You may need booster doses of some vaccines to maintain high levels of protection. Most vaccines are more effective if delivered at a specific age.

The following vaccines are provided free to adults and seniors aged 65 years and over:

• Vaccines

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Adolescent And Young Adult Studies On Concomitant Administration

summarizes the 12 studies assessing concomitant administration of meningococcal vaccines in adolescents and young adults .,- The following sections focus on potential changes to immune responses to vaccines when administered together with meningococcal vaccines. Most of the adolescent studies that compared immune responses to the meningococcal vaccine under individual and concomitant administration did not find any decreases in meningococcal immune responses under concomitant administration.-,,- Similarly, safety was generally comparable across groups in each of the adolescent studies when assessed.,- Exceptions to both of these general observations are specified where applicable.

Which Meningococcal Vaccines Are Available

In the U.S., three meningococcal vaccines are available:

• Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine , sold as Menomune
• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine , sold as Menactra, MenHibrix, and Menveo.
• Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, sold asTrumenba and Bexsero.

MPSV4 and MCV4 can prevent four types of meningococcal disease, which make up about 70% of the cases in the U.S.

The MenB vaccines prevent the Meningococcal B strain.

MCV4 is preferred for people age 55 and younger. The recommendation for teens is one dose at age 11 and one dose at age 16. The doctor or nurse injects one dose into the muscle. If MCV4 is not available, you can use MPSV4. The doctor or nurse injects one dose beneath the skin.

MPSV4 is the only meningococcal vaccine approved for use in people over 55.

The MenB vaccines are recommended for ages 10-24, by the CDC for high risk patients, but can also be used in older adults. Trumenba is administered in three doses while Bexsero requires two doses.

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Cdc Does Not Routinely Recommend Menb Vaccination For All Adolescents

Vaccine providers may choose to administer a MenB vaccine to adolescents and young adults 16 through 23 years of age. The preferred age at which to administer the vaccine is 16 through 18 years old.

Together, clinicians and patients or their parents can determine if MenB vaccination is appropriate for them. Clinicians, parents, teens, and young adults may want to consider the following when making this decision:

Does This Happen With All Immunizations

It can. Not everyone gets a sore arm from every vaccine, but different factors like how the vaccine is injected matter. An intramuscular shot like the flu, COVID-19, or tetanus shot tends to cause more arm soreness than a subcutaneous vaccine, which just goes under you skin, like the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine , Dr. Schaffner says.

Your body’s individual response also comes into play, Aline Holmes, DNP, NP, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Nursing, tells Health. “It’s really specific to your body,” she says. “A lot of people get shots and have absolutely no reaction to them Others do.”

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A Closer Look At The Safety Data

Findings from vaccine safety monitoring systems and scientific studies have shown that the flu vaccines have an excellent safety profile. Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines for more than 50 years and the body of scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports their safety.

The safety of flu vaccines is monitored by CDC and FDA. Certain safety outcomes are commonly evaluated, including Guillain-Barré Syndrome, maternal and infant safety, and febrile seizures.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

The data on an association between seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine and GBS have been variable from season-to-season. When there has been an increased risk, it has been in the range of 1-2 additional GBS cases per million flu vaccine doses administered. The data also indicate that a person is more likely to get GBS after flu disease than after getting a flu vaccine. Learn more about Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Maternal and Infant Safety

Pregnant women are considered at high risk for developing serious complications from flu. Several studies have shown that influenza vaccination can protect pregnant women during and after pregnancy and protect the baby from influenza infection for several months after birth. More information on flu vaccine effectiveness in pregnant women and their babies.

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Pneumonia Vaccine And Flu Vaccine

You can administer either pneumonia vaccine and the flu shot during the same visit, Dr. Horovitz says.

In general, the CDC recommends pneumonia vaccines for young kids, older adults, and certain at-risk people. Pneumovax protects against 23 common types of pneumococcus, and Prevnar protects against 13 types.

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What’s New For Flu For 2021

It’s best to get your family vaccinated for flu by October, but flu vaccine is still available through winter. You may visit your local doctor’s office, pharmacy or clinic event in your area. See www.vaccinefinder.org or call the Help Me Grow Washington hotline at 1-800-322-2588 to find a flu vaccine location near you.

• In Washington, all children under age 19 get flu vaccines and other recommended vaccines at no cost.
• The provider may charge an administration fee to give the vaccine. You can ask them to waive this fee if you cannot afford it.
• Most insurance plans, including Medicare part B, cover the cost of flu vaccine for adults.
• Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can both be received in the same day, or even the same visit for convenience.
• Talk to your local health department for information about other no-cost flu vaccine options that may be available in your community.

How Quickly Will I Develop Immunity After Receiving The Influenza Vaccine

Most people will develop immunity within two to three weeks of vaccination providing optimal protection for the first 3-4 months thereafter. As influenza disease usually occurs from June, with the peak around August, vaccinating from mid-April will allow people to develop immunity before influenza transmission is at its peak. You can also speak with your doctor for advice on the best time to receive your vaccine, based on your individual circumstances.

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Persons With Inadequate Immunization Records

Children and adults lacking adequate documentation of immunization should be considered unimmunized and started on an immunization schedule appropriate for their age and risk factors. Conjugate meningococcal vaccine, as appropriate for age, may be given regardless of possible previous receipt of the vaccine, as adverse events associated with repeated immunization have not been demonstrated. Refer to Immunization of persons with inadequate immunization records in Part 3 for additional general information.

Why Does Your Arm Hurt After A Flu Shot Here’s How Experts Explain It

It’s not only because someone just jabbed it with a needle.

Getting your annual flu shot is the first and most important step in protecting yourself and your loved ones against an unavoidable flu season. For the most part, that flu shot comes with only minor side effectsfatigue, headache or muscle aches, a mild feverand they’re much more manageable than getting the flu itself.

Another side effect from the flu vaccinearguably the most common oneis pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given. On the surface, it makes sense: Of course you’ll have arm pain if you get a flu shot in your arm. But is your arm really supposed to be that sore after a tiny needle delivers the vaccine?

Turns out, there’s a little more to that localized arm pain, according to experts. Here’s why it tends to happen, and what you can do to lessen the discomfort, both before and after the jab.

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Where Does Meningitis Occur

Some regions are more likely to have meningitis due to environmental or other factors. These higher risk zones include:

• The Meningitis Belt This region of sub-Saharan Africa has more meningitis cases than most of the world. Three countries, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Niger, account for 65 percent of meningitis cases in Africa. In some communities in the belt, one percent of the population will contract meningitis during an outbreak. The countries in the belt are : Gambia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea.
• Sub-Saharan Africa The rest of the region does have occasional outbreaks. Regions of note are Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Hajj PilgrimageSaudi Arabia has seen some outbreaks during the pilgrimage. Proof of vaccination is required for entry into the country during this time.

In Canada, dorms, schools or other areas with long-term close contact are sites of infection. Many educational centers now require proof of meningitis vaccination for enrolling.

Meningitis vaccinations are available at all Passport Health clinics. Call or make your appointment online now to schedule your appointment today.

Simultaneous Administration With Other Vaccines

Men-C-C and 4CMenB vaccine may be administered concomitantly with routine childhood vaccines, and Men-C-ACYW vaccine may be administered concomitantly with adolescent and adult age appropriate vaccines. MenB-fHBP can be given concomitantly with quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine meningococcal serogroup A, C, Y, W conjugate vaccine and tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed. The concomitant administration of MenB-fHBP has not been studied with other vaccines.

Men-C-ACYW-CRM can be administered with routine paediatric vaccines however, further studies are needed with regard to concomitant administration with pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine. Co-administration of Men-C-ACYW-CRM and combined tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine may result in a lower immune response to the pertussis antigens than when Tdap vaccine is given alone however, the clinical significance of this is unknown. Tdap vaccine given one month after Men-C-ACYW-CRM induces the strongest immunologic response to pertussis antigens.

If vaccines are to be administered concomitantly with another vaccine, a separate injection site and a different syringe must be used for each injection.

Refer to Timing of Vaccine Administration in Part 1 for additional general information.

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Flu And Pneumonia Shots

Having the flu can be dangerous for anyone. But it is extra risky for people with diabetes or other chronic health problems. Having diabetes means having more instances of high blood sugar than a person without diabetes. High blood sugar hinders your white blood cells ability to fight infections.

Beyond people living with diabetes, flu is also extra risky for people with heart disease, smokers and those with chronic lung disease, people who have an impaired immune system , very young children, and people living in very close quarters, such as college dorms, military barracks, or nursing homes.

Administer Menb Vaccines At 16 Through 18 Years Of Age To Maximize Protection When Adolescents Are At Highest Risk

CDC recommends vaccine providers who choose to administer the MenB vaccine series give it in later adolescence. The preferred age at which to administer MenB vaccine is between 16 to 18 years. This timing maximizes the likelihood that vaccinated adolescents will have protection during the ages when they are at highest risk. Clinicians hopefully will see college-bound adolescents during a pre-college visit. If so, this visit provides an opportunity to initiate the MenB vaccine series for those who choose to receive it.

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Spanish Flu Wasnt Caused By An Experimental Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine

There remains some debate about the geographical origins of the 1918 Spanish Flu. Some historiansdo think that it could have started in America, while others believe it may have started in France, the UK, or China. It is believedthat the illness became dubbed the Spanish Flu because of the comparative lack of censorship in Spanish media at the time , which meant that it was the Spanish press which initially widely circulated news about it.

Its reported that what are believed to be some ofthe first cases of the 1918 flu were recorded as early as March 1918 at the Camp Funston army training base in Fort Riley, Kansas.

According to a contemporary report in the Journal of Experimental medicine, there had been a preliminary trial and wider use of a vaccine against meningitis following an outbreak in October and November 1917. However, there is no reason to believe that this was the cause of the later flu outbreak.

Dr Donald Burke, epidemiologist and former dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health previously told Reuters: There would be no way that a meningitis vaccine could contribute to starting a flu epidemic.

He went on to explain that meningitis is a different disease that is not closely related to influenza, and is caused by a bacteria rather than a virus. He added that they are entirely different kinds of microorganisms that cause entirely different kinds of diseases.

Image courtesy of CDC, via unsplash.

Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Adults And Seniors

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people get additional free annual influenza vaccines and pneumococcal vaccine at 50 years of age through the National Immunisation Program.

Please see your doctor for advice on what you may need.

Generally, adults wont need boosters. We recommend you talk to your doctor if you are not sure:

• if you have had all the recommended vaccines
• if may need boosters
• if someone in your care may need additional vaccines or boosters.

Please note that the National Immunisation Program does not cover adults and seniors for missed or catch-up vaccines. You can buy additional vaccines privately when you need to.

Refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age can get National Immunisation Program vaccines for free. This is if they did not receive the vaccines in childhood.

Check the National Immunisation Program schedule and talk to your doctor or immunisation provider if you have not had all the recommended childhood vaccinations.

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Shingles Vaccine And Pneumonia Vaccine

Dr. Horovitz isnt a fan of combining a shingles shot with any other type of vaccine. Ten percent of people will be really sick from a shingles shot, and their arm will really hurt, so I dont like to layer shingles vaccines, he says.

Shingles, a painful rash caused by a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, is preventable. The CDC recommends that Everyone over 50 get two doses of the shingles vaccine.