Influenza Vaccine (flu vaccine)
Children younger than 5 years especially those younger than 2years are at risk of serious complication of flu as penumonia ,dehydration and worsening of long term medical problems as congenital heart and bronchial asthma.
Flu vaccine offer the best defence against getting flu , spreading of infection,doctor visits and flu related hospitalization.
types of Influenza Vaccine:moneybag:
1⃣(IIV) vaccine also called flu shot :
it is inactivated killed vaccine given IM . Suitable for children 6 months and older. contraindication in patient with hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to egg, also in patient with acute febrile illness till symptoms resolve.
2⃣LA I V 4(Nasal spray vaccine )suitable for children 2year and older.
.Precautions of nasal spray vaccine :
_child less than 2years .children receiving aspirin or salicylate._immunesupression.children younger than 4years with asthma.metabolic disorder Hiv cancer and patient on chronic steriod extreme obesity.
Who should receive influenza vaccine:interrobang:
chronic lung disease as bronchial asthma ,copd and cystic fibrosis.
heart diseases as congenital heart problems and cronary artery problems.
blood disrorders as suckel cell disease
enocrine disorders as DM .
neurologic disorders as cp ,epilepsy ,MR and muscle dystrophy .
chronic liver and kidney diseases .
When to give influenza vaccine:gift:
beak of seasonal influenza between October and November but can happen as early as october.
It should be given each season as the vaccine has been updated from last season to better match circulating viruses.
First time vaccine ,child should be given 2doses first given as early as vaccine is available ( to prime immune system) and second( dose 28day after ) ( to provide immune protection) and its better to give by end of october.
all who received 2doses only need one dose annually.
those who receive single dose at the first time should receive 2doses this year then one dose annually.
getting vaccinated later after october can still protective as long as flu virus are circulating.
immunity from vaccine sets in after 2weeks .
infants younger than 6months should not receive influenza vaccine but the surroundings should receive to protect them.