Last June 16, 2010, I had myself vaccinated with A(H1N1) together with other health personnel of our City Health Office. This is in accordance to the Implementing Guidelines For Vaccine Deployment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) wherein the Health Care Workers/Frontline Responder are the number one priority for vaccination followed by pregnant women, persons 6 months and less than 5 years old and those more than 60 years of age and persons above 5 years old and less than 60 years old with underlying chronic medical conditions.
I would like to share with you some of the frequently asked questions on A(H1N1) vaccine.
What is an A(H1N1) Influenza Vaccine?
This is a vaccine that will protect humans against the A(H1N1) influenza. Immunization experts have recommended this vaccine to be safe and effective for A(H1N1) influenza but emphasize that it will not prevent "flu-like" illnesses caused by other influenza virus.
How is the vaccine given ?
The vaccine is given by injection into the upper arm for most people. In infants and younger children, however, it is the thigh that is the recommended site for the vaccine shot.
Do people need more than a single dose of the vaccine ?
Immunization experts recommend only a single dose in persons over the age of 6 months.
If I already had A(H1N1), will I still need to receive vaccination?
Yes, because getting previously infected with A(H1N1) virus will not provide lifetime protection against the disease.
How long will the vaccine provide protection ?
The vaccine has proven to be effective but studies are now being conducted to further determine the duration of its protection against A(H1N1).
How safe is the vaccine for pregnant women ?
Recent studies do not show harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, a developing fetus, birthing, or post-natal development. However, pregnant women with complicated pregnancies are advised not to receive the vaccination. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of one dose of vaccine for full protection for pregnant women. The flu shot is given to pregnant women after the first trimester of pregnancy.
Can a breastfeeding mother receive the flu shot?
Yes. Breastfeeding is fully compatible with flu vaccination; and preventing the flu in mothers can reduce the risk of the infant getting the flu.
What are the possible side effects from the vaccine ?
Soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given; fainting (mostly young people); head and muscle aches; fever; and nausea. These are generally mild, will not need medical attention and will last for just a day or two.
Why do some people who have been vaccinated still get influenza ?
People can still get the influenza because no vaccine can provide 100 % protection against the disease; however, they will greatly reduce the risk of getting sick. Experts said that the vaccines only become effective about 14 days after vaccination. vaccinated individuals can also get influenza by different starin of the virus for which the A(H1N1) vaccine does not provide protection.
Can people who have allergy to eggs receive the vaccine ?
People who are allergic to eggs might be at risk for allergic reactions from the vaccine. In 2009, experts from the Center for Disaease Control (CDC) said that the people who have egg allergies should consult with a doctor or other medical professionals before considering any influenza vaccination.
Can the A(H1N1) vaccine be administered simultaneously with seasonal flu and other vaccines ?
It can be given at the same time as other injectable influenza and non-influenza vaccines provided that it will be administered at different injection sites under the supervision of professional health workers.
Who should not be vaccinated without a doctor's advise ?
Some people should not get vaccinated without consulting a physician first and these individuals include: (1) those who have severe allergy to chicken eggs, (2) those who have had a severe reaction to influenza vaccine, (3) those who have developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a severe paralytic illness, after getting a flu vaccination in the past, (4) children younger than six months of age, and (5) those who have moderate-to-severe illness with a fever.
Sources: Recommendation on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Vaccines WHO's Strategic Advisory Group Experts (SAGE) on Immunization; 2009 (H1N1) Inactivated Influenza Vaccine FAQs Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Deployment Plan for the Distribution of Pandemic Influenza Vaccine WHO Geneva; DOH Interim Guidelines for Deployment and Use of Pandemic Vaccines
I would like to share with you some of the frequently asked questions on A(H1N1) vaccine.
What is an A(H1N1) Influenza Vaccine?
This is a vaccine that will protect humans against the A(H1N1) influenza. Immunization experts have recommended this vaccine to be safe and effective for A(H1N1) influenza but emphasize that it will not prevent "flu-like" illnesses caused by other influenza virus.
How is the vaccine given ?
The vaccine is given by injection into the upper arm for most people. In infants and younger children, however, it is the thigh that is the recommended site for the vaccine shot.
Do people need more than a single dose of the vaccine ?
Immunization experts recommend only a single dose in persons over the age of 6 months.
If I already had A(H1N1), will I still need to receive vaccination?
Yes, because getting previously infected with A(H1N1) virus will not provide lifetime protection against the disease.
How long will the vaccine provide protection ?
The vaccine has proven to be effective but studies are now being conducted to further determine the duration of its protection against A(H1N1).
How safe is the vaccine for pregnant women ?
Recent studies do not show harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, a developing fetus, birthing, or post-natal development. However, pregnant women with complicated pregnancies are advised not to receive the vaccination. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of one dose of vaccine for full protection for pregnant women. The flu shot is given to pregnant women after the first trimester of pregnancy.
Can a breastfeeding mother receive the flu shot?
Yes. Breastfeeding is fully compatible with flu vaccination; and preventing the flu in mothers can reduce the risk of the infant getting the flu.
What are the possible side effects from the vaccine ?
Soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given; fainting (mostly young people); head and muscle aches; fever; and nausea. These are generally mild, will not need medical attention and will last for just a day or two.
Why do some people who have been vaccinated still get influenza ?
People can still get the influenza because no vaccine can provide 100 % protection against the disease; however, they will greatly reduce the risk of getting sick. Experts said that the vaccines only become effective about 14 days after vaccination. vaccinated individuals can also get influenza by different starin of the virus for which the A(H1N1) vaccine does not provide protection.
Can people who have allergy to eggs receive the vaccine ?
People who are allergic to eggs might be at risk for allergic reactions from the vaccine. In 2009, experts from the Center for Disaease Control (CDC) said that the people who have egg allergies should consult with a doctor or other medical professionals before considering any influenza vaccination.
Can the A(H1N1) vaccine be administered simultaneously with seasonal flu and other vaccines ?
It can be given at the same time as other injectable influenza and non-influenza vaccines provided that it will be administered at different injection sites under the supervision of professional health workers.
Who should not be vaccinated without a doctor's advise ?
Some people should not get vaccinated without consulting a physician first and these individuals include: (1) those who have severe allergy to chicken eggs, (2) those who have had a severe reaction to influenza vaccine, (3) those who have developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a severe paralytic illness, after getting a flu vaccination in the past, (4) children younger than six months of age, and (5) those who have moderate-to-severe illness with a fever.
Sources: Recommendation on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Vaccines WHO's Strategic Advisory Group Experts (SAGE) on Immunization; 2009 (H1N1) Inactivated Influenza Vaccine FAQs Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Deployment Plan for the Distribution of Pandemic Influenza Vaccine WHO Geneva; DOH Interim Guidelines for Deployment and Use of Pandemic Vaccines
No comments:
Post a Comment