Do I have to get the flu vaccine? Are there any side effects?

Qilu Net · Lightning News September 18th Every November to March of the following year is the peak season of influenza . This year, with the launch of influenza vaccines, vaccination is a problem that everyone is currently concerned about. It must be Are you vaccinated? Does vaccination reduce immunity? Xiaonan has compiled some common questions about flu vaccination, let's take a look.

Why get the flu shot?

​​On September 11, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention organization released the urgent document "Technical Guidelines for Influenza Vaccination in China (2020-2021)" (hereinafter referred to as "Guidelines"). The

​​"Guide" pointed out that autumn and winter are seasons with high incidence of respiratory diseases, and lower temperatures are conducive to the survival and spread of new crowns, influenza and other viruses, especially this year The severe epidemic situation of the global new crown epidemic will continue. Influenza and other respiratory infectious diseases superimposed epidemic situation. Influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and can reduce the harm caused by influenza-related diseases.

How is this year's flu vaccine different from previous years?

​​Because the influenza virus keeps mutating, World Health Organization (WHO) specially established the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). The vaccines recommended by WHO each year contain 2 types of A and 1-2 types of B virus strains, most of which match the circulating virus strains of the year.

​​This year, compared with the previous year, the components of the 2020-2021 Northern Hemisphere-based trivalent influenza vaccine produced by the WHO recommended that the A H1N1 subtype, A (H3N2) subtype and B (Victoria line) virus have been replaced strains.

When is the best time to get the flu shot?

​​Usually 2-4 weeks after flu vaccination, antibodies with protective levels can be produced, and antibody titers begin to decay after 6-8 months.

​​The time and duration of the peak flu activity varies from year to year in different parts of my country. In order to ensure that the vaccine recipients can obtain immune protection before the flu season, it is best to complete the vaccination before the end of October, and children from 6 months to three years old should be vaccinated against influenza. Vaccinate early.

Can pregnant women, breastfeeding get the flu vaccine?

​​Pregnant women can be vaccinated against influenza at any stage of pregnancy, and lactating mothers can breastfeed after being vaccinated. It is recommended to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Trivalent vaccine is better than quadrivalent vaccine? The

​​trivalent influenza vaccine includes three types of influenza viruses, namely Type A H1N1, Type A H3N2 and Type B Victoria, and the quadrivalent influenza vaccine also includes Type B Yamagata influenza virus, which has a wider coverage. There is no difference in the protective power of

, 3-valent and 4-valent, in the vaccine components contained in common, and all authoritative guidelines at home and abroad have no priority recommendation for the two. When it is time to inoculate, there are 4-valent inoculation with 4-valent. If not, then inoculate with 3-valent. Don't delay vaccination in order to wait for 4-valent - timely vaccination is more important than anything else.

​​However, for children under 3 years old in China, there are only 3-valent vaccines and no 4-valent vaccines.

Does the flu vaccine reduce immunity?

​​Vaccination is to enhance "immunity". It is recommended to get a flu shot every year because the protection of the vaccine will gradually weaken over time, not because the vaccine has weakened the body's immunity. If the vaccine is not vaccinated in the future, the immunity will only return to normal levels, not the vaccine will reduce the immunity.

​​just got the flu vaccine, the new crown vaccine came out, can I still get the new crown vaccine?

​​can.

Which group should be vaccinated first?

​​Combined with the background of the continued global epidemic of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the "Guide" recommends the following groups as priority vaccination targets:

1. Medical personnel include clinical rescue personnel, public health personnel, health quarantine personnel, etc.;

2. Vulnerable groups and employees in crowd gathering places such as elderly care institutions, long-term care institutions, and welfare homes;

3. Crowds in key places, such as teachers and students of kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, detainees and staff of prison institutions, etc.;

4. Other high-risk groups for influenza, including the elderly at home 60 years and older, children 6 months to 5 years old, people with chronic diseases, 6 months oldFamily members and caregivers of the following babies and women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during flu season, etc.;

5. Influenza vaccine can be given to people ≥6 months of age without contraindications.

In addition to vaccination, how to prevent influenza in autumn and winter?

>>> Enhance physique and immunity.

>>> Wash your hands frequently and try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

>>> Keep the environment clean and ventilated.

>>> Minimize activities in crowded places and avoid close contact with patients with flu-like symptoms.

>>> Maintain good respiratory hygiene habits, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or towel when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, and try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

>>> If you have symptoms of respiratory infection, you should pay attention to rest and self-isolation, and go to work or class without illness; when going to public places or seeking medical treatment, patients and accompanying staff should wear masks to avoid cross-infection. The protection rate of the

​​flu vaccine is not 100%, so it is still possible to get the flu after getting the flu shot. In this special autumn and winter this year, we must do personal prevention, exercise diligently, and enhance personal resistance.