The flu shot is reliable protection against the insidious virus

What is the flu, and why is it dangerous?

Influenza is an acute respiratory viral infection characterized by:

• sudden and rapid onset;
• increase in body temperature to high numbers;
• chills;
• severe weakness;
• severe aches in muscles and joints;
• headache;
• photophobia, redness of the eyes.

A runny nose and sore throat with the flu are usually mild. Often patients are bothered by a dry, painful cough, which can persist for a long time.

The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets. Typically, the incubation period lasts several days. In this case, a person becomes contagious even before clinical symptoms.

Often, influenza cannot be distinguished from other viral infections. In order to do this, there is a special analysis. Unlike ARVI, influenza has more severe symptoms, a higher incidence of complications and a protracted course. Complications of influenza include: otitis media, bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia. In addition, the influenza virus causes specific complications, affecting the nervous system and skeletal muscles.

Why do you need a flu shot?

Flu is a highly contagious and common disease. The most severe forms affect people over 65 and children under 5 years of age. People with chronic illnesses are also vulnerable to flu complications. It is to protect these populations that it is worth getting a flu shot.

The flu vaccine is one of the safest on the calendar. During the entire experience of its use, not a single serious complication was registered, which cannot be said about the infection itself.

The influenza virus is very variable and can mutate several times during the season. Sometimes such mutations lead to the emergence of particularly “infectious” viruses that cause severe illness in a large number of people. It was these viruses that caused the swine and bird flu epidemics. And also the “Spanish flu” - the most severe epidemic of the early 20th century, which claimed a huge number of lives.

In addition, the annual flu epidemic causes enormous damage to the state’s economy, because people are forced to stop working and take sick leave due to illness.

Can the flu be cured?

Currently, there are two groups of anti-influenza drugs on the pharmaceutical market:

1. Adamantane preparations (amantadine, remantadine). This is an old group of drugs to which the virus has developed resistance. Currently, their use is not recommended.
2. Neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir). Resistance to this group of drugs in influenza viruses is growing rapidly. In addition, these medications have a number of significant side effects.

There is also a fairly effective, but expensive and complex way to treat seriously ill patients using donor plasma.

All of the above brings us back to the fact that vaccination today is more effective and safer than medications used to treat influenza.

How are things going with Russian vaccines?

Not long ago, the following phrase appeared in the instructions for the Russian Sputnik V vaccine:

“Due to a lack of information, vaccination may pose a risk for the following patient groups: with autoimmune diseases...; with malignant neoplasms."

This does not mean that the vaccine will harm the health of the cancer patient. There is simply no information yet about its safety for this group of people. A clinical trial is currently being planned. It is expected that 250 cancer patients will take part in it and will last 6–7 months.

How dangerous is the flu during pregnancy?

Every year in Russia, thousands of expectant mothers fall ill with the flu. Pregnant women are at risk for severe respiratory infections, among which influenza occupies a leading position.

Flu is very dangerous for the unborn baby. The infection increases the rate of miscarriage and also increases the risk of congenital diseases and fetal abnormalities.

Modern research has proven that vaccination of pregnant women is safe and effective. Much safer than the infection itself. Experts from WHO and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation recommend that all women planning pregnancy be vaccinated. Women during pregnancy and lactation are allowed any vaccines except live ones.

Why should you get a flu shot every year?

The World Health Organization has established a global influenza surveillance system. Her responsibilities include:

• collecting information about all circulating strains and selecting those that are most likely to cause an epidemic this year;
• control of mutation of strains potentially capable of causing dangerous epidemics.

Every year before the epidemic season, WHO reports on the work done and announces which strains should be included in the seasonal vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers, according to WHO recommendations, modify the original virus, creating a vaccine product from it.

The immunity formed by such a vaccination is developed approximately 2 weeks after its administration and reaches a maximum after 2-3 months. The protective effect of the vaccine lasts approximately 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of drug and the characteristics of the human immune system.

Contrary to popular belief, the process of “guessing” the strain is quite accurate. Experts were wrong only a few times and only with one of the strains of the virus included in the vaccine.

Sometimes it happens that this process is delayed. Manufacturers then have little time to make the vaccine. And they enter the pharmaceutical market with some delay, after the start of the epidemic season. It also happens that the “guessed virus” manages to mutate during the creation of the vaccine. In this case, the vaccination becomes less effective.

However, despite some shortcomings, modern flu vaccines remain reliable and relatively safe means of combating the disease.

What are the contraindications for the Sputnik V vaccination?

A medical discharge is given if a person has previously received any vaccination and his temperature rises to around forty degrees or above. Small deviations from the norm are considered normal. Also, the vaccine should not be administered to patients who are sensitive to the drugs contained in its components. There is a risk of anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema.

If a person has a confirmed infectious disease, vaccination can be done a few weeks after final recovery. If you have a mild cold, you can get vaccinated (if you don’t have a fever).

Vaccination is approached with caution in the following cases:

• endocrine diseases;
• liver and kidney pathologies;
• epilepsy;
• cerebrovascular accidents;
• myocarditis;
• diseases of the hematopoietic system;
• diabetes;
• myocardial infarction;
• oncology.

Immunity against coronavirus is formed 21 days after the second vaccination.

What types of flu vaccines are there?

Influenza viruses are divided into 4 types:

1. A - This type is the most variable. This is precisely why there is a need to slightly change the composition of vaccines every year.
2. B - This type is somewhat more stable. However, scientists also have to study its mutations.
3. C - this type of virus hardly mutates. It usually does not cause severe illness. As a rule, it is transmitted in childhood, after which a strong immunity is formed in the body.
4. D - this virus does not cause disease in humans, but only affects animals.

Types C and D are not included in the vaccines.

Modern vaccines are three- or four-component. Three-component vaccines contain two strains of influenza type A and one strain of influenza type B. An additional variant of influenza type B is added to the four-component vaccine.

All vaccines for the prevention of influenza can be divided into two main types:

1. Live vaccines . Currently, live vaccines are rare. These drugs include Ultravac. This vaccination has all the contraindications and complications characteristic of live vaccines. For example, it is contraindicated for women during pregnancy and lactation.
2. Inactivated vaccines . They are divided into two types:

• three-component. These include “Grippol Plus”, “Vaxigrip”, “Influvac”, “Sovigripp”, “Ultrix”, “Flu-M”. The latter drug is intended for adults (according to the instructions, it can be used from 18 years of age);
• four-component. These drugs include Ultrix Quadri and Grippol Quadrivalent.

In addition, the drugs differ in the amount of hemagglutinin (the main active ingredient of the vaccine). The vaccines “Grippol”, “Grippol Quadrivalent” and “Savigripp” each contain 5 mcg of the substance. Other vaccines contain 15 mcg.

WHO recommends preference for four-component inactivated vaccines containing 15 mcg of hemagglutinin. However, there are no strict rules. Three-part vaccines are also acceptable. Preparations containing 5 mg of the active substance were quite effective in clinical trials and morbidity studies.

Scientists have also developed vaccines against influenza viruses that can cause epidemics. For example, from “Spanish flu”, “swine” and “bird” flu. Such vaccinations are not given annually. But, if necessary, they can be produced in large quantities in a short time.

What is included in live and inactivated vaccines?

Live vaccines contain a live, attenuated virus. Such vaccinations are effective, but reactogenic (cause many side effects).

Depending on the composition, inactivated vaccines are divided into:

• split (split vaccines). They contain the capsule protein and part of the internal proteins of the virus as the main component. Such vaccines include Vaxigrip;
• subunit vaccines. They contain only the surface protein (antigen) of the virus. These include “Influvac”, “Grippol”, “Sovigripp”.

Both versions of inactivated vaccines have shown their effectiveness and safety.

In addition to the main components, vaccines include a medium, a preservative and a stabilizer. The Grippol and Sovigripp vaccines also contain an adjuvant (a substance that enhances the effect of the main component).

How effective are flu shots?

Despite all the difficulties, flu vaccines are highly effective - from 75 to 95%. The effectiveness of the vaccine depends on which type of virus is more common during the season, how quickly vaccination was started, and how well the human body responded to the vaccine.

The effectiveness of vaccination is also proven by the fact that with the increase in vaccinated people in our country, the incidence rate is falling. Over the past 20 years, the incidence of influenza has decreased by approximately 10 times. The number of cases of severe influenza and its complications is also decreasing.

However, unfortunately, this does not mean that we were able to achieve complete victory over the infection. The virus is constantly mutating, forming new vaccine-resistant strains.

Now scientists are trying to invent a vaccine that could provide longer-lasting and more reliable immunity from infection. Some of the innovative drugs are already at the stage of clinical trials.

Features of vaccination of cancer patients

If we talk about existing vaccines, some of them can be administered to cancer patients. But it is important to consider some nuances:

• Composition of the vaccine. For example, people with cancer can be vaccinated against the flu, but only with drugs that do not contain a live virus. Otherwise, an infection may develop due to a weakened immune system. For the same reason, in particular, it is not recommended to be vaccinated against measles, rubella and mumps.
• The nature of the cancer.
• Treatment program. It is not recommended to vaccinate directly during a course of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• State of the immune system. In many cancer patients, it is severely weakened due to cancer, side effects of treatment, and severe exhaustion. In such cases, it will not be possible to form reliable immunity, and live vaccines will only create a risk of developing infection.

Why is it still important for cancer patients to be vaccinated against certain infections? Let's look at the example of influenza and COVID-19. People with cancer have an increased risk of infection and severe infection that can be fatal. American oncologist and public health expert Gary Lyman Fr.

Who gets the flu vaccine and when?

Influenza vaccination recommendations are as follows:

1. The live vaccine is recommended for children from 3 years of age. All inactivated vaccines (except Flu-M) can be used starting from 6 months of age.
2. If a child under three years of age is vaccinated for the first time, then a half dose of the vaccine is administered twice with an interval of 1 month.
3. The optimal period for vaccination is the end of September. Then immunity will have time to develop in time and will be at its maximum just in time for the surge in incidence.

Can people caring for cancer patients be vaccinated?

It is possible, but there is one caveat. A vaccinated person is protected, but it is unknown whether they can transmit the virus to others. If you have been vaccinated and no longer follow recommendations for protection against COVID-19, you often go to crowded places - this can be dangerous for your unvaccinated sick relative. So you will still have to wear a mask, wash your hands with soap and practice social distancing.

Euroonko doctors constantly keep their finger on the pulse. With us you can always get up-to-date information about the risks associated with COVID-19 for cancer patients, preventive measures, and vaccinations. Our clinic continues to take all necessary measures to protect patients and staff from infection. Remember: a pandemic is not a reason to stop or postpone cancer treatment.

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When is vaccination contraindicated?

An absolute contraindication for the administration of inactivated influenza vaccine is an acute allergic reaction to a previous administration of the drug.

Temporary contraindications include:

• acute inflammatory processes;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases.

It is possible to use the vaccine with the permission of a doctor and under his supervision if:

• pregnancy;
• oncological diseases;
• immunodeficiency states.

Contraindications to CoviVac

Among the absolute contraindications are:

• clinically significant side effects (edema, shock, convulsions);
• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• severe allergic reaction (allergy to pollen or food is not a reason for medical treatment);
• period of breastfeeding, pregnancy.

In case of infectious diseases or exacerbation of chronic diseases, vaccination is possible 2-4 weeks after the symptoms have passed. Vaccination is also done with caution in the following cases:

• gastrointestinal infection (acute stage);
• tuberculosis;
• hepatitis B or C;
• diabetes;
• autoimmune pathologies;
• severe diseases of the respiratory system: bronchial asthma, degeneration of the alveoli;
• cardiac ischemia.

Immunity is formed exactly two weeks after receiving the second dose.

Is it possible to get vaccinated if you are allergic to chicken egg white?

Vaccine strains of the virus are grown on chicken egg whites. After cultivation, the drug is thoroughly cleaned of protein residues, but its microparticles are able to penetrate into the finished vaccine.

A number of studies have shown that the vaccine can only be dangerous if a person has an anaphylactic reaction to the eggs. A severe or moderate reaction to the protein does not in any way affect the tolerability of the vaccine. However, the final decision regarding a particular person always remains with the attending physician.

How to get a medical exemption from coronavirus vaccination?

A certificate of medical exemption is issued by a doctor after examinations. To get it, you need to go to the clinic at your place of residence. The result of the examination and, if necessary, tests taken becomes a specialist’s conclusion about the possibility or impossibility of vaccination.

The standard form of the certificate must have:

• data of the doctor who issued the medical certificate;
• information about the hospital that issued the document;
• the name of the vaccine that cannot be vaccinated;
• diagnosis on the basis of which the decision was made;
• patient information (address, date of birth).

If a person who came for vaccination has had contact with a Covid patient within the last two weeks, the patient must be given a referral for a PCR test. Individuals who test positive for antibodies are not vaccinated. Doctors recommend that those who have recovered get vaccinated 7-9 months after recovery (taking into account the spread of a new dangerous stamp).

What complications can occur after a flu shot?

After the administration of a live vaccine, there may be an increase in body temperature, weakness, slight runny nose, and redness of the throat. These symptoms go away on their own after 2-3 days and do not require treatment.

The following side effects are possible after administration of an inactivated vaccine:

1. A short rise in temperature. Sometimes it may require taking an antipyretic drug at the usual dose.
2. Slight deterioration in health, weakness, drowsiness, fatigue. These symptoms go away on their own and do not require correction.
3. Swelling, thickening, redness at the site of vaccine administration. Such complications do not occur often and usually go away on their own. Sometimes your doctor may recommend an age-appropriate antiallergic drug.
4. Neurological disorders. They occur extremely rarely, go away on their own and do not require treatment.

Vaccination and antibiotics

If in the past there was no debate about the need for vaccinations, then in modern society parents think about the benefits of vaccinations for their children. The consequences of some types of injections frighten parents with dangerous side effects, the counteraction of which requires the prescription of antibiotics. The question that becomes relevant is how taking antibiotics after vaccination will affect the formation of the immune defense that the vaccination should form.

Doctors are convinced that if all the rules of conduct before and after vaccination are followed, it will not harm even newborns. After all, the result of compulsory vaccination prevention of the past was the absence today of formidable epidemics that claim lives.

Is it possible to take antibiotics after vaccination?

The DPT vaccine is considered the most dangerous in terms of adverse reactions in children. Once in the body, the medicine leads to a weakening of its own protective properties. The cause of a child’s severe reaction to vaccination is the toxoids it contains (diphtheria, tetanus), as well as fragments of killed pertussis microbes.

Side effects include such a serious reaction as the appearance of a lump at the site of vaccine administration. The development of purulent inflammation is accompanied by an increase in temperature and soreness, which is a consequence of infection during the injection. In this case, to protect against dangerous symptoms of complications, the doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics after DPT vaccination.

Flu vaccination

WHO experts strongly recommend getting vaccinated against influenza annually before the start of the epidemic season. Vaccination not only saves vaccinated people from deadly complications after the flu, but also prevents the massive spread of the virus. However, immunization will not become effective without taking preventive measures, including wearing a gauze bandage during the formation of immunity after the injection.

Often, after visiting crowded places, a person who has received the vaccine develops symptoms of the disease that can be confused with the flu. However, the cause of the disease is not the vaccine, but another disease that requires treatment with antibiotics after vaccination.

The opinion of doctors is clear - the doctor should make a decision on prescribing antibacterial drugs. The therapy does not affect the formation of the immune response and does not require repeated vaccination.

Why do complications develop after vaccinations?

The development of adverse reactions requiring the prescription of antibiotics is not at all associated with the poor quality of the vaccinating drug. An unpleasant situation is a consequence of non-compliance with immunization rules. Any vaccination should only be given to a healthy person, excluding contact with sick people.

Symptoms of an acute disease or exacerbation of a chronic process can lead not only to the lack of results from vaccine prevention. For example, after foreign agents enter the body with DPT vaccination, children's immunity is temporarily weakened, which increases the risk of developing a concomitant infection. In this case, the child may need antibiotics to treat the complication.

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