|
|
The influenza vaccine protects against viruses that cause influenza, often called the flu. The vaccine does not protect against other viruses or bacteria that cause colds or stomach flu. Several different influenza vaccines are available in B.C. All of the vaccines are approved by Health Canada.
In B.C., the vaccine is usually available in October. For your best protection, you should get the influenza vaccine as soon as possible. To find a local flu clinic, visit www.health.gov.bc.ca/flu/.
In B.C., the influenza vaccine or flu shot is provided free this year to the following groups of people.
People at high risk of serious illness from influenza:
People able to transmit or spread influenza to those at high risk of serious illness from influenza, including:
Others:
To find out if you are eligible, talk to your health care provider or call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1.
The influenza vaccine or flu shot is usually given as 1 dose. Children under 9 years of age who have never had an influenza vaccine need 2 doses, even if they received the pandemic H1N1 vaccine. The second dose is important to raise their level of protection.
Influenza vaccine is also available but not provided free for healthy people age 2 to 64 years in B.C. Anyone not eligible for a free influenza vaccine can purchase it at some public health units, doctors' offices, pharmacies and clinics. Some employers also provide free vaccine to employees.
A live influenza vaccine has also been approved for use in Canada for people age 2 to 59 years of age. This vaccine contains a weakened version of the influenza virus. It is given as a nasal spray. As a precaution, some people such as those with severe asthma or weakened immune systems should not get the live vaccine. The live vaccine is not available in the free public program in B.C. at this time.
Talk with your health care provider about which vaccine is best for you.
The vaccine is the best way to protect against influenza, a serious and sometimes fatal infection. When you get vaccinated, you help protect others as well by reducing the spread of the influenza virus.
Common reactions to the influenza vaccine or flu shot include soreness, redness and swelling where the vaccine was given. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, aching muscles and fatigue that may last 1 to 2 days. About 1 in 20 people may have cough, sore throat, hoarseness or red eyes, sometimes called 'oculo-respiratory syndrome'.
The influenza vaccine or flu shot given by needle cannot give you influenza. The vaccine contains dead influenza viruses that cannot cause infection.
The live nasal flu spray contains weakened influenza viruses and may cause mild influenza symptoms, such as runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat and fever but these are much milder than those due to influenza infection.
| Acetaminophen or Tylenol® can be given for fever or soreness. ASA or Aspirin® should NOT be given to anyone under 20 years of age due to the risk of Reye Syndrome. |
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. If this happens after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. This reaction can be treated, and it occurs in less than 1 in a million people who get the vaccine.
Report serious or unexpected reactions to your health care provider.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a form of paralysis, is usually temporary and can occur after some common infections. GBS may be associated with influenza vaccine in about 1 per million recipients.
Speak with a public health provider if you:
Children less than 6 months of age should not get the flu shot and those under 2 years should not get the live vaccine because the vaccines are not designed for this age group.
Influenza is an infection of the upper airway caused by the influenza virus. A person with influenza is at risk of other infections, including viral or bacterial pneumonia which is an infection of the lungs.
Influenza spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or having face-to-face contact. The virus can also spread when a person touches tiny droplets from a cough or sneeze and then touches their eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
It is recommended that parents or guardians and their children discuss consent for immunization. Efforts are first made to seek parental/guardian or representative consent prior to immunization. However, children under the age of 19, who are able to understand the benefits and possible reactions for each vaccine and the risk of not getting immunized, can legally consent to or refuse immunizations.
For more information on immunizations visit Immunize BC at www.immunizebc.ca.
|
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. |
English