Flu Shots (Influenza Vaccine)

Influenza is a viral illness that usually occurs during the winter months from about November until April. Symptoms of the flu are fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache, and muscle aches. It takes about one to two weeks after vaccination for antibodies against influenza to develop and provide protection. Studies of healthy young adults have shown influenza vaccine to be 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the flu.

In the elderly and those with certain chronic medical conditions, the vaccine is often less effective in preventing illness than in reducing the severity of illness and the risk of serious complications and death. It is strongly recommended that individuals with asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, anemia, or without a spleen receive the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is also recommended for college students living in residence halls, or anyone who wishes to reduce their risk of getting the flu.

The Side Effects of Vaccination
The most frequent side effect of the vaccination is soreness of the arm around the site for up to two days. About 5-10 percent of people receiving the vaccine experience mild side effects, such as headache or low-grade fever for about a day after vaccination. In addition, these types of severe reactions have rarely occurred:

1. Immediate allergic reactions including hives or asthmabreathing difficulty.
2. Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This is a rare illness with paralysis, which is usually self limited and reversible. This was associated only with the 1976 swine flu vaccine.

For more information, visit the CDC website for the vaccine information statement at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/default.htm.

If you would like to read the vaccine information statement in another language, visit this site: http://www.immunize.org/vis/#index.

Why Take The Vaccine Every Year?
Although only a few different influenza viruses circulate at any given time, these viruses are continually changing as a result of mutations in the viral genes. Each year, the vaccine contains killed viruses from three strains expected to be prevalent during the flu season.

Who Should Not Take The Vaccine?

1. Anyone who is sick right now with anything more serious than a cold.
2. Anyone with a history of allergy to chicken egg or other components of the vaccine (thimerosal-a mercury derivative).
3. Anyone with a past history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
4. Anyone taking medications, Warfarin or Theophylline, needs to know this vaccine may inhibit the clearance of these medications. Studies have failed to show any adverse clinical effects attributable to these drugs in patients receiving influenza vaccine.
5. Anyone taking immunosuppressive drugs may not get the antibody response needed for protection against influenza.
6. Pregnant women should consult their obstetrician about indications for the vaccine.

When To Get Vaccinated?
Student Health Services usually begins offering flu vaccine in October or November, as soon as vaccine is available.

How Much Does The Flu Vaccination Cost?
See the Fees section for more information. You can receive your flu shot by calling Student Health Services for an appointment at 757-683-3132.

Resources
Questions and Answers at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-flu.pdf.