Flu Vaccine during the COVID Pandemic!
Government health agencies around the world are urging all individuals who are without contraindications to receive the influenza vaccine for the 2020 – 2021 influenza season, saying it is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic than in normal years.
Influenza is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalisation or even death. In the Northern Hemisphere, flu activity increases in September and October, reaching its peak in January or February, and finally decreasing as late as May. Flu seasons are unpredictable in many ways. Every year communities face outbreaks of flu, but the severity of the illness depends on may factors, such as which influenza virus is spreading and whether they match the viruses scientists have formulated in the newest flu vaccine!
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses. Development and production of influenza vaccines, planning for their supplies and use as well as provision of other respective health care resources are essential components of a comprehensive seasonal and pandemic influenza response. For more than 50 years, the World Health Organisation has been collaborating with scientists and policy makers on a global scale to develop a unified approach to manufacturing, testing and regulatory oversight of influenza vaccine development as well as their efficient use and distribution.
People have the tendency to call almost any infection “flu”. You can not have a “touch of the flu”. When you have influenza, no matter which strain, it is not like getting “touched” with anything. Your body is not uncomfortable; it is in extreme pain with an excruciating headache and incredible muscle aches.
The flu doesn’t creep up on you; it hits you suddenly like a sledgehammer.
This year there is a cell-based vaccine covering the following four influenza strains:
- influenza A/Hawaii/70/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- influenza A/Hong Kong/45/2019 (H3N2)-like virus
- influenza B/Washington/02/2019 (Victoria lineage)like virus
- influenza B/Phuket/3073/2013 (Yamagata lineage)-like virus
As this is a cell-based vaccine there is no cross-reactivity with eggs.
The flu jab isn’t just good for you – it’s good for everyone
Prevention of and reduction in the severity of influenza illness and reduction of outpatient illnesses, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions through influenza vaccination also could alleviate stress on health care systems.
Influenza vaccination of persons aged over 6 months to reduce prevalence of illness caused by influenza will reduce symptoms that might be confused with those of COVID-19. Limited information is available regarding influenza vaccination and COVID-19. Your doctor may consider postponing influenza vaccination if you have suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 until you are not acutely ill; however, you need to remember to return for influenza vaccination after you have recovered.
There’s no better way to get into the seasonal spirit than by getting the influenza vaccine! Keep yourself extra safe while we wait for the COVID vaccine. Supplies are limited so book an appointment to get your quadrivalent cell-based Flu Jab now.