People At High Risk Of Complications From The Flu
- people with health conditions, such as:
- cancer and other immune compromising conditions
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions
- children up to 18 years of age undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid
Will The Flu Vaccine React With A Possible Covid
Jeremy Levin, PhD, chair of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and CEO of OVID Therapeutics, understands that there may be concerns about getting the flu vaccine and then receiving a shot to protect against COVID-19 when it becomes available.
We dont know yet which vaccine will be safely given with any other vaccine, said Levin. Its my belief that the FDA will use excellent judgment to ensure that we are given a safe and effective vaccine, based on the analysis of data.
Strange agreed: There has been no data to suggest that giving both would increase risk to immunity for the other. Physicians often give the flu vaccine with other vaccines. For example, pneumococcal vaccine , and so forth.
Can Influenza Vaccines Be Given To Someone Who Has Had Guillain
Influenza vaccination has been identified as a possible cause of GBS following H1N1 containing vaccines, but the evidence is variable and at a very low rate, lower than the rate of GBS caused by wild type influenza. As per the AusVaxSafety clinical resources flow chart , influenza immunisation is generally not recommended for people with a history of GBS occurring within 6 weeks of receiving a previous influenza vaccine. However specialist immunisation advice should be sought to discuss the potential benefit of vaccination and the risk for GBS recurrence post vaccination or GBS recurrence post influenza disease. There are no concerns administering influenza vaccines to patients who have a history of developing GBS more than 6 weeks following an influenza vaccine.
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Can I Have The Flu Vaccine If I Take Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of medicine used to treat some cancers, including metastatic melanoma, renal clear cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, non-small celllung cancer and other solid organ tumours. Checkpoint inhibitors include ipilimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab.
People taking checkpoint inhibitors may have a higher risk of immune-related side effects following influenza vaccination. Talk to your oncologist about the risks and benefits of the flu shot.
For more information on the flu vaccine, go to the Department of Health website or call the National Immunisation Hotline on 1800 671 811.
Can I Get The Influenza Vaccine And Covid
You can get the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine but not on the same day. You should wait at least 7 days between receiving a dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine.
You arent required to have the vaccines in any particular order. The order will likely depend on vaccine availability, so you may receive whichever vaccine you have access to first.
If youre having the Pfizer vaccine, this means you may be able to get a flu vaccination in between the 2 doses, if appropriate.
In special cases, your healthcare provider may consider shortening the time period between the different vaccines or they may suggest you receive the vaccines on the same day. This will only be considered if:
- theres a high risk that youll be exposed to one of the diseases
- its highly likely that the opportunity of receiving either vaccine will be missed
If this is suggested, youll be counselled about any possible adverse events from each vaccine. Youll be advised to report any adverse events.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more advice on how to schedule vaccinations.
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Holiday Vaccine Ordering Changes
If you need vaccine for clinics scheduled on the holiday weekend:
- Submit orders early, preferably the week of December 13, in anticipation of the limited holiday work hours.
- The last day to order partial deliveries of vaccine is December 15. There will be no partial vaccine deliveries on the week of December 27.
- Note the holiday delivery schedules below. Vaccine deliveries will not occur between December 24 and December 27. Vaccine deliveries will also not occur between December 31 and January 3.
Do Immunosuppressed People Require 2 Doses Of Influenza Vaccines
People with certain immunocompromising conditions should receive 2 doses, a minimum of 4 weeks apart, of QIV formulation of influenza vaccine in the first year of being immunosuppressed. Only 1 dose is required annually thereafter. An exception to this is in patients 65 years, as they are recommended to only receive 1 dose of the higher-immunogenicity QIV .
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Can I Get The Flu Vaccine If I Have An Egg Allergy
The influenza vaccine is typically grown in eggs. But the traces of egg protein that remain after the vaccine is made are so tiny that the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy says both adults and children with egg allergy can be safely vaccinated against the flu. The risk of anaphylaxis after vaccination is very low, estimated at 1.35 cases per 1 million doses.
It is rare for people with egg allergy to experience other side effects, such as hives, wheezing, vomiting or abdominal pain, after getting the flu shot. If you are concerned, ask your doctor if you, or your child, can be observed by staff for 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine .
Considerations For Getting A Covid
Its safe for your health care provider to administer a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. If youre 12 years of age or older, you may get the flu shot at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine. You may also get it any time before or after you receive the flu shot.
For children aged 5 to 11, the National Advisory Council on Immunization recommends a 14-day interval between a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines. This is to help better monitor for possible side effects from COVID-19 vaccines. Provinces and territories will decide on an interval for this age group as part of their vaccination programs.
Talk to a health care provider or consult your provincial or territorial public health authority for the latest guidance.
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Influenza Changes Every Year
Dr. Theodore Strange, associate chair of medicine at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, explained that the flu virus changes yearly as multiple strains spread throughout the community and the virus adapts itself for survival.
That is why no long-term immunity, said Strange. It essentially changes its coat H1N1, H2N3, and so on.
He emphasized that the flu vaccination program typically needs to start early to capture as many people as possible. It takes between 3 and 4 weeks for someone to develop immunity against the strains of influenza predicted in a given year.
Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, cautioned that antibody responses for seasonal vaccines, like flu vaccine, which change every year, typically do fall off after 3 to 6 months. Thats why the timing of the flu vaccine is important.
Horovitz pointed out that while the virus mutates, thats not the only reason you need an annual vaccination.
There are mutations of the coronavirus as well, its not necessarily because of that that you need to have an annual vaccine, said Horovitz. It just may be that the antibody response doesnt last more than a year, and so a re-vaccination is important.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , influenza has resulted in up to 45 million illnesses, between 140,000 and 810,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths every year since 2010.
There are instances when the vaccination isnt recommended.
Vaccinations Are Still Vital Even With The Mismatch
In the pre-print review, researchers studied 40 healthy people after they received the annual flu vaccine. Those tests reveal more than half of the vaccine recipients had poor protection against the new H3N2 clade. In fact, Hensley that 55 percent of the vaccines had undetectable levels of neutralizing antibodies against 2a2 H3N2 after vaccination.
Despite the apparent mismatch in this seasons flu shot, the researchers still encourage people to get a flu shot this winter. They add that even in years where the shot does a below-average job of blocking certain flu strains, they do keep more people from developing serious and potentially fatal symptoms.
Studies have clearly shown that seasonal influenza vaccines consistently prevent hospitalizations and deaths even in years where there are large antigenic mismatches, Hensley concludes.
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When Should I Get Vaccinated
In the United States, flu season typically:
- Starts in October
- Peaks sometime between December and February
- Tapers off by April or, at the latest, May
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October. If you miss that date, though, don’t consider it too late. The worst of the season is still ahead, so it’s still worthwhile to get the shot in January or even later.
Because flu vaccines’ effectiveness starts to wane after about six months, it’s not a good idea to get it too early, such as in July or August. You want to make sure you’re protected through the winter months and into spring.
Pharmacy Appointment Booking & Pharmacy Listing
- It is highly recommended that pharmacies use an appointment booking application this year.
- The provincial central booking system will not be available for flu vaccinations.
- BCPhA will be maintaining a centralized booking page and listing pharmacies who have inventory availability. Pharmacies out of supply will be removed daily until new vaccines are delivered.
- The BCPhA booking tool will also have a centralized appointment search by city and date feature added in time for this years flu season.
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Heres Why Seasonal Flu Vaccines Only Last A Few Months
- With the COVID-19 pandemic already straining healthcare centers, this year its more important than ever to get your annual flu shot.
- The flu virus changes yearly as multiple strains spread throughout the community and the virus adapts itself for survival.
- It takes between 3 and 4 weeks for someone to develop immunity against the predicted strains of influenza after getting the flu shot.
The current pandemic has overwhelmed us with concerns about COVID-19, but theres a disease that routinely causes of deaths.
It affects millions of Americans every year, and its called influenza.
With the COVID-19 pandemic already straining healthcare centers, this year its more important than ever to get your annual flu shot.
While vaccination rates are relatively falls far below other vaccination rates.
One reason is that people have to get them every year, unlike vaccines for measles or mumps that require only a few doses for a lifetime.
So why doesnt the vaccine protect us long term?
Timing Of Influenza Vaccination
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended before the influenza season starts. Influenza circulation usually peaks between June and September in most parts of Australia. However, influenza can occur year-round.
Protection is expected to last for the whole season, but optimal protection is within the first 34 months after vaccination. Deferring vaccination to the beginning of winter may result in greater immunity later in the season, but may also result in missed opportunities for vaccination and lack of protection if the influenza season starts early.
Immunisation providers need to weigh up these factors for each person, and balance them with the challenge of vaccinating large numbers of people in a short time.
Offer vaccination throughout the influenza season. It is never too late to vaccinate, because influenza can circulate all year. In particular, pregnant women and travellers can benefit from vaccination at any time of the year.
Children aged 6 months to < 9 years who are receiving their 1st lifetime dose should receive the vaccine as soon as possible after it becomes available. This helps to ensure enough time to receive a 2nd dose before the influenza season starts.
The only absolute contraindications to influenza vaccines are:
- anaphylaxis after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine
- anaphylaxis after any component of an influenza vaccine
See Precautions for more details about influenza vaccination for people with a known egg allergy.
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Safety Of Influenza Vaccine During Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding
Influenza vaccine is safe to give during any stage of pregnancy or while breastfeeding for both the mother and her baby.86-89 Several systematic reviews have shown no association between influenza vaccination in pregnancy and adverse birth outomes.90,91
Standard influenza vaccines are currently preferred for use in pregnancy because a large body of evidence supports their safety in pregnant women. While the use of cell-based influenza vaccines in pregnancy has not been assessed, there are no theoretical concerns regarding their safety in pregnant women.
Best Timing For Vaccination
The timing of vaccination should aim to achieve the highest level of protection during the peak of the influenza season. Flu season in Queensland is typically from June to September, with the peak usually in August.
Vaccinating from April provides protection before the peak season takes place. While protection is generally expected to last for the whole season, the best protection against influenza occurs within the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.
It is never too late to vaccinate since influenza can circulate in the community all year round. Vaccination should continue to be offered as long as influenza viruses are circulating and a valid vaccine is available.
It is also important to remind people that the vaccine is not immediately effective and it generally takes 10 to 14 days to be fully protected.
Revaccination late in the same year for individuals who have already received a vaccination is not routinely recommended, although not contraindicated. Revaccination may be considered for people travelling to the Northern Hemisphere in late 2020, who were vaccinated in early 2020. An individual’s risk factors, risk of disease and current circulating virus strains should be taken into consideration before recommending a second dose. A second dose is not funded under the National Immunisation Program and the individual will need to pay for the vaccine and consultation fee, if applicable.
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Why Are Adjuvanted Formulations Of Influenza Vaccine The Preferred Vaccine For Those 65 Years
A gradual decline of the immune system occurs as people age , impacting how the immune system responds to immunisation. For adults aged 65 years the adjuvanted QIV, Fluad® Quad is preferentially recommended over standard QIVs as the antibody response is increased in comparison to non-adjuvanted QIV influenza vaccines.
People 65 Years And Older Enhanced Quadrivalent Vaccine
Vaccination is particularly important for people in this age group as they are at high risk of complications from influenza and have the highest influenza-associated death rates each year.
The quadrivalent influenza vaccine Fluad Quad®is provided for people aged 65 years and older. It is an adjuvanted vaccine which is a standard dose flu vaccine with an added adjuvant to help create a stronger immune response to the vaccination. The 2022 vaccine contains the same components as the vaccine provided for other age groups but has the benefit of inducing a greater immune response in older people.
The enhanced quadrivalent influenza vaccine is the best form of protection against flu for older Queenslanders for the following reasons:
- Older people do not respond as well to standard influenza vaccine as the immune system response decreases with age.
- The enhanced vaccine is designed specifically to increase the immune system’s response to the vaccine, especially against the influenza A/H3N2 strain which is more common and severe in people aged 65 years and older.
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Pfizer Tris Product Shelf
Pfizer Tris Product Shelf-Life Extension
FDA has approved a shelf-life extension for the Pfizer Pediatric vaccine and the soon-to-be available Adol/Adult Tris . The expiration date for Pfizer orange and gray cap vaccine has now been extended to 9 months . This approval takes effect immediately. This extension applies to frozen, ultra-low temperature inventories only.
Details about this extension may be found in the updated facts sheets, accessible here: Healthcare Providers for 5-11 years of age, orange cap Healthcare Providers for 12 years of age and older, gray cap . The Fact Sheets for both orange and gray cap vials provided by the FDA now reads, regardless of storage conditions, vaccines should not be used after 9 months from the date of manufacture printed on the vial and cartons.
As you are aware, the date printed on the Pfizer Pediatric and Adult/Adolescent vaccine vials indicate the manufacture date and NOT the expiration date. The updated expiry dates for both the orange and gray cap vials based on 9 months from the date of manufacture are provided below.
The QR code provided on the Pfizer Pediatric Vaccine carton provides a link to the EUA but does not provide information on expiration dates.
Please follow EUA recommendations for storage:
Regardless of storage condition, vaccines should not be used after 9 months from the date of manufacture printed on the vial and cartons.
All Pfizer updated Fact Sheets may be found using the following links: