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The seasonal influenza (or flu) vaccine is a safe, effective way to help people stay healthy, prevent illness, and even save lives. As people age, they may be at higher risk of complications from seasonal influenza infection. For this reason, seniors (those 65 years of age and older) are advised to get a seasonal influenza vaccine each year.
The seasonal influenza vaccine is provided free to seniors. Call your doctor or local public health unit to get your annual influenza vaccine or flu shot.
The seasonal influenza vaccine is safe. The seasonal influenza vaccine cannot give you influenza. The vaccine contains dead influenza viruses that cannot cause infection.
Most people have no side effects after they get the influenza vaccine. Some may have redness or soreness for one or two days where the needle was given.
Mild influenza-like symptoms may occur in some people, especially those being
vaccinated for the first time. Symptoms can include mild fever, headache and
aching muscles, starting within 6 to 12 hours and ending within 24 to 48 hours.
These are less severe and last a short time compared to influenza infection.
Speak with a public health nurse or doctor if you have:
It is important for seniors to get the seasonal influenza vaccine before the influenza season starts.
In 2009, the seasonal influenza vaccine will be available in mid-October for those 65 years of age and older. For your best protection, you should try to get the influenza vaccine as soon as possible. This gives your body enough time - about two weeks - to build immunity before the influenza season starts. This will also help your body maintain its immunity during the peak of the influenza season, usually between November and April. The influenza vaccine can still provide protection if given at any time during the season, while seasonal influenza viruses are still circulating.
In addition to an influenza shot, seniors 65 years and older should be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against infections of the brain, bloodstream, lungs, or ear. It is safe to get the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines at the same time. Most people only need one dose of pneumococcal vaccine and will not need a booster dose.
Seniors are at lower risk of acquiring pandemic H1N1 influenza virus and at higher risk of complications from seasonal influenza. Based on these considerations it is recommended that seniors get the seasonal vaccine before or at the same time that they get the pandemic influenza vaccine.
Influenza is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by an influenza
virus.
Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat,
extreme tiredness, and cough. Although colds and other viruses may cause similar
symptoms, those due to the influenza virus tend to be worse.
You can reduce the risk of catching influenza, or spreading it to others, by washing your hands regularly, disposing of tissues properly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow rather than your hands, staying home when ill, and getting the influenza vaccine.
Influenza spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or close face-to-face contact. The virus can also spread when a person touches tiny droplets from coughs or sneezes on another person or object and then touches their face before washing their hands.
Symptoms can begin about one to four days, or an average of two days, after a person is first exposed to the influenza virus. Fever and other symptoms may last up to 7 to 10 days, with cough and weakness possibly lasting one to two weeks more.
An infected person can spread the influenza virus even before feeling sick. An adult can spread the virus from about 1 day before to 5 days after symptoms start. Children can spread the virus up to 21 days after symptoms start.
The greatest concern from seasonal influenza is that it reduces the body's ability to fight other infections. Bacterial pneumonia (infection of the lungs) is the most common complication from influenza, especially in elderly people. Influenza can also lead to more complications for people who have heart, lung or other health concerns. These complications can sometimes be fatal.
Caregivers and close contacts of seniors are encouraged to get both the seasonal influenza vaccine and the pandemic influenza vaccine. If they choose not to get both vaccines at the same time it is recommended that they get the pandemic influenza vaccine first and the seasonal influenza vaccine soon after.
The influenza shot is also available for purchase by people who cannot receive it free of charge. For more information about the influenza vaccine, see HealthLink BC File #12d Influenza (Flu) Vaccine.
For more information on influenza or pneumococcal infection, see the following HealthLink BC Files:
#12b Facts about Influenza (the Flu)
#12c Influenza (Flu) Immunization: Myths and Facts
#62b Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
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For more HealthLink BC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles/index.stm or your local public health unit. Click on www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information and services in B.C. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance, call 7-1-1 in B.C. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request. |
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