Don’t blame flu shot for sickness
This is the season for flu prevention. Recently the father of a 3-year-old told me that their child got sick last year after getting the influenza vaccine. He is unsure if the child should get the vaccine this year.
This is a concern shared by many. Typically, however, the vaccine does not cause anyone to become ill. Each year a new vaccine is made, to keep up with the virus strains that can cause trouble. The flu shot contains purified ingredients from inactivated (killed) influenza virus. It does not cause the influenza illness. Sickness after the vaccine might be due to a previous exposure from someone who has influenza.
The flu is a very contagious respiratory infection. It causes both mild and severe symptoms. A child’s classmate or a family member with only mild illness can still pass the influenza virus to someone else.
Another reason one can get sick during this season might be due to a common cold. One can receive the flu vaccine and still catch a cold. Both the flu and the common cold are caused by respiratory infections, but different viruses cause
them.
This is an important distinction. Flu symptoms include: fevers and chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose and body ache, headaches and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea caused by the flu are more common in children, but they can also occur in adults. Fevers and chills are less common with the common cold. Headaches are also rare in children with a common cold. The flu vaccine does not prevent a common cold.
In September, the American Academy of Pediatrics put out new recommendations for this (2017-2018) flu season. These recommendations included the following:
The annual seasonal vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Children should receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their community, preferably by the end of October.
The number of recommended doses depends on the child’s age at the time of their first vaccine dose; it will either be one dose, or two doses separated by a few weeks.
All children with egg allergy of any severity can receive the influenza vaccine without any special precautions other than those recommended for any vaccine. If the child has had anaphylaxis to egg, they should be observed by a doctor for a short while after receiving the vaccine.
Pregnant women can receive the vaccine at any stage of their pregnancy.
All health care personnel should receive the annual seasonal influenza vaccine.
There are several FDA approved antivirals medications that can help treat influenza, but the best way to control and prevent influenza illness is the vaccine.
Although we are all at risk, there are individuals who are at higher risk for serious flu illness complications. Individuals at high risk include: young children, children with asthma, children with neurologic conditions, heart disease, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and cancer (just to name a few). Pregnant women and adults older than 65, and people who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities are also at risk.