Flu vaccinations – indications, contraindications, dosage, prices

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Influenza vaccination is an increasingly popular method of avoiding contracting this infectious disease. The flu vaccine not only protects against flu, but also significantly reduces its course if it is ill and minimizes the risk of complications. How does the flu vaccine work, and who should get it? What are the costs of getting the flu vaccine?

Flu – what do you need to know about it?

Flu is an acute infectious disease caused by flu viruses. Influenza virus infection most often occurs through airborne droplets or contact with a contaminated surface. The incubation time for the influenza virus is one to four days. This virus attacks the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and multiplies in them.

The symptoms of flu are very similar to those of other infectious diseases. Typically, patients complain of a cough, runny nose, sore throat, and a high fever above 38 degrees Celsius. During the flu, there are also chills, muscle and joint pain, headache, chest pain, malaise, anorexia, nausea and vomiting.

If you have flu symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor. You can make an online appointment with your GP today. You will get the support you need and the drugs you need to fight the disease.

The average duration of flu should not exceed 7 days, but coughing and general weakness can last for up to two weeks. Flu can be much more severe. Such cases are caused by post-influenza complications, including: pneumonia and bronchitis, otitis media, myocarditis or various neurological complications.

Influenza is a very contagious disease and causes epidemics in society every year. A new flu vaccine is developed every season.

For more information on flu, see Flu

Flu vaccine – basic information

The flu vaccines that are available in Poland contain flu virus particles or flu virus surface proteins. It is also possible to administer a live intranasal vaccine. The flu vaccine protects against contracting the disease or minimizes the risk of health and life-threatening complications.

The flu vaccine can be given to patients of all ages, but children under 6 months of age cannot be vaccinated. The flu vaccine has the lowest number of recorded adverse vaccine reactions. The current strains used to make flu vaccines are recommended by the World Health Organization. The flu vaccine has a shelf life of one year.

You can read about the safety of flu vaccines here: Are flu vaccines safe

How does the flu vaccine work?

Flu is an infectious disease that is very easily caught. In our country, from several hundred to several million cases of influenza are registered every year. Most cases are usually recorded between January and March.

Flu vaccines are given to both children and adults. When you are given it, the body’s immune system creates its own defense against the flu. Immunity develops within 2-3 weeks after vaccination and lasts for about 6-12 months. Flu vaccination is successful in nearly 90% of cases.

What should I know about immunization? Check: Vaccinations in questions and answers

Flu vaccinations – indications

Flu vaccinations are done primarily to help prevent flu. A particular indication for the implementation of a flu vaccine is belonging to a group of people with an increased risk of complications from influenza. This applies especially to people who are chronically ill with:

1. cardiovascular disease;
2. diabetes;
3. cystic fibrosis;
4. respiratory system diseases;
5. kidney failure;
6. anemia.

Flu vaccination is recommended for anyone who wants to avoid the effects of catching the flu. The vaccine is administered according to current recommendations. Your doctor will ask you to be vaccinated against the flu. The highest number of flu vaccinations falls in the autumn period, but it is also advisable to vaccinate in other seasons of the disease.

For more information on flu complications, see Flu complications more serious than we think

Flu vaccination should be preceded by qualification for vaccination. In Polmed facilities, you can do it quickly so that you can get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Flu vaccinations – contraindications and precautions

Although flu vaccination is recommended for all patients who wish to avoid the symptoms and complications associated with the course of this infectious disease, there are several contraindications to vaccination. Influenza vaccination cannot be performed in cases of:

1. anaphylactic hypersensitivity to egg white or vaccine antibiotics;
2. acute febrile illness;
3. moderate to severe acute disease
4. Guillain-Barré syndrome diagnosed within 6 weeks of previous influenza vaccination;

Particular care should be taken in people with impaired immune systems, as the body’s response to vaccination may be impaired. The doctor who qualifies for the vaccination should also be informed about the medications taken and the recently taken vaccines. Taking corticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs or radiotherapy can significantly reduce the body’s response to the vaccine.

The flu vaccine can be given with other vaccines, but each vaccine should be injected into a different limb. However, it is worth remembering that the simultaneous administration of several vaccines may increase any possible side effects.

How can flu be prevented? Check: Is immunization the only way to prevent flu?

Flu vaccinations – side effects and complications

Like any other medicine, the administration of the flu vaccine may cause side effects. These include:

1. redness, swelling, pain or hardness at the injection site;
2. general symptoms such as malaise, fever, chills, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, weakness, fatigue, sweating;
3. allergic symptoms such as: anaphylactic shock, angioedema, itchy skin, hives, rash;
4. neurological symptoms such as neuralgia, disturbed sense of touch and pain, tingling and numbness in the extremities.

In exceptional cases, encephalomyelitis, neuritis or vasculitis may occur. However, transient renal dysfunction is very rare.

Administration and dosage of the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is administered into a muscle or deep under the skin. Children are injected with the vaccine in the anterolateral part of the thigh and adults in the deltoid muscle. For the first flu vaccination, two doses of the vaccine should be given.

How much do flu vaccinations cost?

Two flu vaccines are available in Poland: Vaxigrip Tetra and Influvac Tetra. Vaxigrip can be given to children from 6 months of age. Influvac, on the other hand, is intended for adults and children from 3 years of age. The flu vaccine is given each flu season, and two doses are given for the first vaccination.

One dose of the flu vaccine costs about PLN 45, which means that about PLN 90 should be spent on your first vaccination.

What is worth knowing about compulsory vaccinations? Take a look: Mandatory vaccinations – everything you need to know

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.