Didn't the doctors start talking about influenza vaccination early?

New flu 2

Didn't the doctors start talking about influenza vaccination early?

On the contrary, very timely. And it is not the first year that the vaccination campaign begins not even from September, but from the end of August. Vaccination at the end of November, or even in winter, when the influenza epidemic is already gaining momentum, may not bring the expected benefit, since the immune response does not have time to fully form. And people, even after vaccinations, get sick with influenza and SARS. After that, a misconception about the benefits of vaccinations is formed.

September-October is the most favorable period for vaccination. Indeed, on average, it takes the body 21 days to develop an immune response to vaccination.

In families, the flu vaccine must be given to both children and their parents, and, of course, the elderly. Then you will be protected by the new epidemic season.

So, the vaccine will have to be administered even to those who were vaccinated against the flu last year?

Have to. First, it is worth doing because of the updated vaccine formulation in anticipation of a modified "wild" influenza virus. And secondly, unfortunately, because of the short, up to one year, protective effect of the vaccine preparations used. Therefore, even if the WHO did not change the composition of the vaccines for the new season, it is still recommended to be vaccinated before it.

And where is that magic long-awaited vaccine, which does not need to be administered every year and which can protect against all flu at once?

Work on the creation of such a vaccine is going on all over the world, including in our Research Institute of Influenza. But this is not a quick process.

The drug needs to be developed, produced. Then carry out multi-stage preclinical and then clinical trials. And only then can they be released for mass use.

There were mobile stations near the metro stations where one could quickly, literally on the run, get a flu shot. Is it generally safe?

This service is intended for very busy people or visitors who do not even have time to visit the clinic.

In principle, it is possible to take advantage of the "vaccination on the run". But only if at the moment you are healthy and have no contraindications to vaccination. And of course, if you do not have an allergic reaction to chicken protein and have not previously had such reactions to the introduction of any other vaccine.

Naturally, prior to vaccination, a medical examination by a medical professional with the obligatory measurement of body temperature is required.

At the same time, after vaccination, it is recommended to be under medical supervision for up to 30 minutes. Then, in the event of undesirable phenomena, you will be provided with qualified assistance.

And do not forget to read the instructions for the vaccine used.

If there are any health problems, such as chronic diseases, then it is better to go the proven way. Contact your local health center or commercial vaccination center. The attending physician will advise you and give you the necessary recommendations for the vaccination.

After vaccination, it is important not to overcool, not to come into contact with infectious patients. Try to avoid physical and emotional overload.

After vaccination, some people may briefly experience slight malaise, lethargy, and pain at the injection site. This is an acceptable reaction to the vaccine. After one or two days, everything goes away.

And what kind of new service - field vaccination?

This is vaccination by specialists at home or in the office. By individual or collective order.

The vaccination team consisting of a doctor and a nurse arrives at a convenient time for the customer. And in one visit, he vaccinates the whole family or the entire work collective.

Universal vaccination is a smart and cost-effective step. Vaccinated employees will not get sick en masse in winter. And even if someone, in the rarest of cases, does get the flu, it will be milder and with a shorter recovery period.

After vaccination, the flu never leads to the development of serious complications - influenza pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis.

Why are we so actively voting “for” vaccination? The more people are vaccinated, the more the so-called immune layer, the "stronger" herd immunity and, as a result, the least damage from epidemics.

But it's not just the principles. There are people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons. For example, severe allergy sufferers. Is it possible to replace the vaccine with some other prophylaxis? Now there are so many different drugs - antiviral drugs, interferons, and immunomodulators.

There are really a lot of medicines. But most of them are intended for the treatment of ARVI and influenza, and not for prevention.

They should not be taken to prevent influenza. Save drugs in case of infection and take from the first hours. Then they will help.

But you can still take medications only on the recommendation of a doctor. Especially those that affect the immune system. Taking these drugs requires constant medical supervision of the patient.

If you have been in contact with a sick flu, then emergency prevention of the disease is necessary. In this situation, antiviral drugs can be taken according to a special prophylactic regimen.

And, of course, we must not forget that influenza is an infectious disease transmitted mainly by airborne droplets. Particles of the virus get from sick people when talking, coughing, sneezing.

Therefore, during an epidemic, limit your attendance at public events. Always follow the rules of personal hygiene, social etiquette. Eat well, spend more time outdoors.

For whom it is especially important to get a new flu shot

• Adults and children who often have colds and infectious diseases
• Expectant mothers in the second and third trimester of pregnancy
• People with chronic diseases of the lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidneys
• Everyone who, by the nature of their work, contacts people every day and often travels on business trips.