What Is The Difference Between Covid
Influenza and COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus that’s led to the current pandemic, are both infectious respiratory illnesses. Although the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu can look similar, the two illnesses are caused by different viruses. Research so far indicates that COVID-19 spreads more easily and has a higher death rate than the flu.
- COVID-19: Caused by one virus, the novel 2019 coronavirus, now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2.
- Influenza: Caused by any of several different types and strains of influenza viruses.
- Loss of taste or smell
*Upper respiratory symptoms, like runny nose and sinus congestion, are very uncommon in COVID-19.
The severity of COVID-19 symptoms ranges from mild to severe. If you suspect you have COVID-19, call Intermountain Healthcares 24-hour hotline, Health Answers, at to talk with an Intermountain clinician who can review your symptoms and give specific care recommendations. If your symptoms are mild you will likely be directed to stay home to protect others from illness and follow the CDCs recommended guidance for self-care. If youre referred to a testing site or medical facility, remember to call ahead and let them know your symptoms before you go in. for more detailed information on coronavirus.
Can Severe Problems Occur
Life-threatening allergic reactions to flu shots are very rare. Signs of serious allergic reaction can include breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the shot. These reactions can occur among persons who are allergic to something that is in the vaccine, such as egg protein or other ingredients. While severe reactions are uncommon, you should let your doctor, nurse, clinic, or pharmacist know if you have a history of allergy or severe reaction to influenza vaccine or any part of flu vaccine.
There is a small possibility that flu vaccine could be associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, generally no more than 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated. This is much lower than the risk of severe complications from flu, which can be prevented by flu vaccine.
Who Should Get A Flu Vaccine
Everyone 6 months and older should receive a yearly flu vaccine, with rare exceptions. The flu vaccine causes your body to make antibodies that fight the flu, decreasing your risk of becoming sick with the flu. Since the viruses in the vaccine are not live, they cannot cause the flu. The flu vaccine is recommended annually, as immunity decreases over time. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to be effective, so it is important to get the vaccine before the flu starts spreading in your area.
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Walgreens Offers Scheduled And Walk
You can schedule an appointment online with any Walgreens Pharmacy. Scheduling an appointment will let you answer screener questions and enter your insurance or GoodRx coupon info, so you can be in and out even faster. You can also schedule a vaccine appointment or 1-800-WALGREENS . If you decide you would rather get your flu vaccine while youre already out of the house, walk-ins are welcome. Find your nearest Walgreens, or visit the Walgreens flu page for more information.
Variation On The Conventional
With the well-accepted limitations and deficiencies in the current influenza vaccine system, substantial resources have been spent trying to improve it. The improvements that are most advanced, many of which are already in use, are those that contribute incremental, but important, advances to the current TIV and LAIV platforms.
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Influenza Vaccines And Use Of Influenza Antiviral Medications
Administration of inactivated influenza vaccine to persons receiving influenza antiviral drugs for treatment or chemoprophylaxis is acceptable.
Use of LAIV4 for persons who are receiving or who have recently received influenza antiviral medications has not been studied. But because LAIV4 contains live viruses that need to replicate in the nasopharynx in order to promote an immune response, it is conceivable that these medications might interfere with the effectiveness of LAIV4 The exact period of time during which this might occur is not known. Based upon the half-lives of the different medications, interference might be possible
- From 48 hours before to two weeks after LAIV4 administration for oseltamivir and zanamivir,
- From 5 days before to two weeks after LAIV4 administration for oseltamivir and peramivir, and
- From 17 days before to two weeks after LAIV4 administration for baloxavir
People who receive these medications during these periods before or after receipt of LAIV4 should be revaccinated with another appropriate influenza vaccine. Time periods for which interference might be possible could be longer than those listed in the setting of medical conditions that delay clearance of medications.
Immunological Response To Influenza Virus Infection
A challenge to the development of an effective immune response to influenza virus is the acute nature of the infection. Meta-analyses of human challenge studies with seasonal influenza viruses have shown that typical clinical symptoms peak on day 2 postinfection and resolve within 10 days, while viral shedding lasts an average of 4.8 days . The short infection period means that the local innate immune response is critical for restricting and clearing the infection. In humans, innate immunity to influenza virus is mediated by several mechanisms. Within infected cells, the viral RNA is recognized by pathogen recognition receptors such as the Toll-like receptors , retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 , and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain -like receptor . Activation of these immune pathways leads to induction of interferon-mediated antiviral responses and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, which helps to restrict virus replication. In addition, alveolar macrophages and natural killer cells and dendritic cells all play a role by clearing virus-infected cells through phagocytosis and induction of apoptosis .
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Route Of Vaccine Delivery
Another approach being explored to increase the immunogenicity of influenza vaccines is to differentially stimulate the immune system through alternative delivery routes. Such an approach in terms of influenza vaccine delivery is intradermal inoculation, with the rationale of engaging the abundant pool of professional antigen-presenting cells in the skin. APCs are efficient at capturing and processing antigens for subsequent presentation in the lymphoid organs, resulting in stimulation of both innate and adaptive immunity . In some cases, i.d. vaccines performed better than the conventional intramuscular or subcutaneous vaccines in stimulating a robust immune response . This approach is especially relevant for the elderly, since in two head-to-head studies, i.d. vaccines were superior to i.m. vaccines in terms of immunogenicity in the elderly . Initial reports on the i.d. delivery of the influenza vaccine in healthy adults showed that it was as efficacious as i.m. vaccines in stimulating an antibody response, even with only half the standard dose of HA . A systematic review of clinical studies with i.d. vaccines showed that most studies reported comparable immunogenicity between reduced doses of i.d. vaccines and standard i.m. vaccines , suggesting that i.d. vaccination could provide a dose-sparing strategy.
Can Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Be Given At The Same Time As Other Vaccines
Live, attenuated influenza vaccine may be administered simultaneously with other live or inactivated vaccines. However, if two live, attenuated vaccines are not given during the same clinical visit, they should be separated by at least 4 weeks to minimize the potential risk for interference. For example, if live, attenuated influenza vaccine was given, at least 4 weeks should pass before MMR is administered.
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Why Do We Get An Influenza Vaccine Every Year
Just like the COVID virus which constantly evolves into new variants, the subtypes of the influenza virus also evolve and change into new strains. The H protein and the N proteins on the surface of the influenza virus change their structure which helps them evade our immune system. Vaccines are modified every year to match the new protein structure that then teaches our immune system to recognize and target them to neutralize their ability to infect us.
There is also some waning, or lessening, of the strength of our bodys immune response over time after a vaccine. Each years influenza vaccine boosts that immune response and helps our immune cells remember how to fight the influenza virus.
What Kinds Of Vaccines Are Available
There is more than one flu shot as well as a nasal spray, though shots are much more common. This year, there are four standard-dose flu shots, which are approved for people 6 months of age and older. This is the type of flu shot that most of us get, says Dr. Oller.
Theres also a high-dose flu shot which creates a stronger immune response in adults 65 and over who need extra protection, she adds. The CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another.
Ninety-nine percent of this years vaccines are quadrivalent, which means they protect you against four different strains of the influenza virus. CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations at Target stores are offering both the standard quadrivalent vaccine as well as the higher dose one for seniors.
Theyre also offering an egg-free version for people who are allergic to eggs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which is best for you.
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Can Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Be Given At The Same Time As Other Vaccines Such As Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Or Zoster Vaccines
Yes if other vaccines are indicated, they can be administered during the same clinical encounter as inactivated influenza vaccine. When giving several injections at a single visit, administer each vaccine at a separate injection site. The injection sites should be separated by 1 inch or more, if possible, so that any local reactions can be differentiated.
Why Do Some People Not Feel Well After Getting A Flu Shot
Flu vaccine side effects are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. Some side effects that may occur from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache , fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. The flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting.
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Why Should My Child Get A Flu Vaccine
- Reduces the risk of flu illness and hospitalization among children.
- Shown to be life-saving for children.
- Can make illness less severe among people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu.
- Reduces the risk of illness, which can keep your child from missing school or childcare and you from having to miss work.
- Reduces the high risk of developing serious flu complication especially if your child is younger than 5 years, or of any age with certain chronic conditions.
- Helps prevent spreading flu to family and friends, including babies younger than 6 months who are too young to get a flu vaccine.
Does Cvs At Gainesville Virginia 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
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How To Schedule Your Flu Shot
If you already have a primary care appointment scheduled, you can request a flu shot during that appointment. Otherwise, book your flu shot by calling your primary care office or , or direct scheduling in myUCLAhealth.
Direct schedule your flu shot: To direct schedule your flu shot, login to myUCLAhealth. Navigate to “Visits” and select “Schedule an Appointment.” Under appointment types, select “Flu Vaccine Only.” Answer all screening questions related to COVID-19, select a location and available time, and hit “Schedule.”
Extended and weekend hours in select clinics: For your convenience, we offer extended and weekend hours for flu vaccinations in our immediate care locations and many primary care offices.
50 Plus Program: Flu shots will be available at no cost for members of the UCLA Health 50 Plus Program at any CVS MinuteClinic and inside select CVS/Pharmacy and Target locations in Southern California. If youre a current 50 Plus Program member and would like to receive the flu vaccine voucher, please call .
To join the 50 Plus Program and receive a flu voucher with your new member packet, please call 800-516-5323 or fill out an online application.
Egg Versus Cell Culture
Egg-based vaccine production, although time tested, is a resource- and time-intensive process that is critically dependent on a continuous supply of eggs and the ability of viruses to grow on this substrate. The risk of contamination by avian pathogens in the egg supply or microbial contaminants during processing has previously jeopardized vaccine supplies . Furthermore, egg supply could be limited in the event of a pandemic, and egg-based vaccines may still pose a theoretical risk of anaphylactic responses in egg-allergic individuals. The ACIP recommends that TIVs be used under medical supervision for individuals with a severe allergy to egg proteins .
The future of cell culture platforms for influenza vaccines relies heavily on reproducibly providing vaccine yields at an acceptable cost without this, the commercial incentives to switch production systems are minimal.
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Why Does My Child Need A Flu Vaccine Every Year
Flu viruses are constantly changing, so new vaccines are made each year to protect against the flu viruses that are likely to cause the most illness. Also, protection provided by flu vaccination wears off over time. Your childs flu vaccine will protect against flu all season, but they will need a vaccine again next flu season for best protection against flu.
Is The Vaccine Safe
Yes, and time-tested. Flu vaccines are very safe, and we can look at more than 50 years of flu vaccine history and several hundred million people vaccinated over this time period as evidence, says Dr. Oller.
Most people have no side effects at all, or only experience mild ones like a sore arm and temporary fever, muscle aches, headache, or fatigue, she adds. And this is actually a good signit means your immune system is working and will be ready if you encounter the actual flu virus.
Beware of flu myths. Science has proved that the flu shot cant give you the flu. It also doesnt cause autism or any other malady, despite continuing rumors to the contrary.
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What Are The Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine
Common side effects of the flu vaccine include: soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, nausea, and muscle aches.
Less common side effects may include: fainting, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and allergic reactions .
Egg Allergy: Since eggs are used in the production of some flu vaccines, those with a life-threatening egg allergy should only receive a flu shot in a medical facility that is prepared to handle a severe allergic reaction . Those who have experienced only hives from a flu shot may still receive the vaccine.
Variability Of Influenza Virus
The influenza A and B virus genome is composed of eight negative-sense RNA segments. The virus particle consists of a host-derived lipid envelope embedded with 3 or 4 glycoproteins surrounding the ribonucleoprotein complex and the polymerase proteins . The major influenza virus surface glycoproteins are hemagglutinin , neuraminidase , and, in smaller proportions, matrix protein 2 . Influenza B virus has an additional NB protein. Matrix protein 1 and nucleoprotein are associated with viral RNA and are important for viral assembly as well as budding, while the polymerase proteins are important for viral genome replication . HA and NA are the major antigenic proteins and are used to further classify influenza A viruses into multiple subtypes. Sixteen HA and 9 NA influenza A virus subtypes that are antigenically distinct have been identified, with the possible addition of a new subtype, H17, identified recently . Currently, lineages of H1 and H3 viruses circulate endemically in humans. Only a single subtype of influenza B virus has been identified, although two distinct antigenic lineages have evolved over time and cocirculate at variable levels in humans.
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When Should My Child Get A Flu Vaccine
Doctors recommend that your child get a flu vaccine every year in the fall, starting when he or she is 6 months old. Some children 6 months through 8 years of age may need 2 doses for best protection.
- CDC recommends a flu vaccine by the end of October, before flu begins spreading in your community. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.
- Children 6 months through 8 years getting a flu vaccine for the first time, and those who have only previously gotten one dose of flu vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine. The first dose should be given as soon as vaccine becomes available.
- If your child previously got two doses of flu vaccine , he only needs one dose of flu vaccine this season.
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone ages six months and older. Pregnant women should get a flu vaccine during each pregnancy. Flu vaccines given during pregnancy help protect both the mother and her baby from flu.