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Influenza vaccines have arrived, this is what you need to know about them

This coming winter we are all about to face a double threat of corona and flu - at least one of them has a vaccine.

What flu vaccines will be available this year in Israel, who will be able to get them and what side effects can they cause?

Doctor answers

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• the flu

• Flu Vaccine

• Corona

Walla!

health

Sunday, 25 October 2020, 00:31

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We are all closely following the reports on the progress of corona vaccines being developed around the world, but let's talk for a moment about a disease that is lurking around the corner and will affect quite a few people this coming winter, and it actually has an available and accessible vaccine.

It is even given for free at the HMOs.

Influenza, like corona, is a viral disease of the airways that infects masses of people every winter and causes burdens on the health system and for some populations can be just as dangerous.

Flu vaccine arrived in HMOs and can already receive them, and Dr. Michal Stein, director of the infectious diseases unit at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, has all the answers to questions about them.

It is difficult to distinguish between Corona flu Especially in the early stages.The two diseases are characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, headache and muscle aches, and both can be complicated by pneumonia.In fact, clinically almost impossible to distinguish between the two diseases.However, loss of taste and smell senses characteristic of coronary heart disease, and is not characteristic Influenza morbidity.

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Why is it important to get vaccinated against the flu?

It seems that under the auspices of the corona virus we are underestimating the infectious and dangerous ability of influenza disease, to which are added the voices that hold that corona is "just the flu".

The ease with which flu is perceived stems from the confusion of concepts of colds and flu.

It is important to remember that the flu is a serious illness in itself, and can cause significant illness, complications, and even death.

Beyond that, we do not know what the combination of the two diseases will look like both at the level of the sick individual, and at the level of the capabilities of the health system to deal with dual morbidity.

Therefore, in the coming winter it is not recommended to take unnecessary risks, more than ever it is important to get vaccinated against the flu virus and reduce the risk of getting sick.

Clinically it is almost impossible to distinguish between influenza and corona.

Coughing woman (illustration: shutterstock)

What are the complications that can be caused as a result of the flu?

Influenza, can cause upper and lower respiratory tract complications: otitis media, sinusitis, bronchitis, testicular cough, and pneumonia.

A relatively common complication is inflammation of the muscles, which can lead to kidney failure, inflammation of the heart muscle, and in the membrane surrounding the heart, complications related to the nervous system - such as encephalitis, and Gian Barra syndrome, and increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

In addition, the flu can cause exacerbations of background illnesses.

Awareness of the importance of the flu vaccine has increased around the world, and many countries have tried to stock up on high vaccines compared to previous years.

Although a very large amount of influenza vaccines have been ordered compared to previous years, it is estimated that supply will exceed supply, and therefore a shortage may occur.

Due to the high demand for the vaccine, it was decided to give priority to high-risk populations: those suffering from long-term diseases (cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, chronic eye diseases, diabetes, metabolic diseases, chronic kidney diseases, liver diseases, neurological / neuromuscular diseases involving the respiratory tract, Hematological diseases include chronic anemia, suppression of the immune system, severe mental illness, obesity manifested in BMI ≥35) and, adults over 55, children aged 6 months to five years, pregnant women, and people in closed or semi-closed institutions, Including boarding schools.

The composition of the flu vaccine changes every year according to the World Health Organization's strain forecast.

Laboratory for the development of the corona virus vaccine in China (Photo: AP)

Where do you get the vaccines?

Do they cost money?

The flu vaccines can be obtained in the coming days through the health funds.

The vaccines are given to every insured in the HMO for free.

As mentioned, priority is set for patients who are at high risk.

HMOs will periodically update the population who may be vaccinated in accordance with the renewal of the vaccine inventory.

The composition of the vaccine is determined annually by the World Health Organization, among other things according to the strains that were common during the last flu season in the southern hemisphere.

The effectiveness of the vaccine depends on the match between the seasonal vaccine composition and the strains actually circulating, as well as on the person receiving the vaccine, because not everyone has the same ability to develop immunity.

Most often, the effectiveness of the vaccine is high in young adults, and reduced in young, elderly children.

However, it is important to remember that even in cases where immune efficacy is limited in preventing infection, high efficacy is still maintained against complications and mortality.

What types of flu vaccines are available in the country?

This year, several types of vaccines are available in Israel:

• Injected vaccine, given by injection, containing four strains (two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B), or three strains (two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B).

• A new type of inactivated vaccine called "Ploson HD" for 65-year-olds is also given by injection.

  This vaccine contains a greater amount of antigen and thus creates better immunity for the age group that has so far responded less well to the regular vaccine.

• A live attenuated vaccine, given as a nasal spray, contains 4 strains, approved for use from the age of two to the age of 49. This vaccine is not suitable for pregnant and immunosuppressed women.

Influenza vaccine is considered particularly effective in young adults, and less effective in the elderly and children populations.

Older man gets vaccinated against flu (Photo: Maccabi Health Services)

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What are the side effects that can be caused by the vaccine?

Common side effects are manifested by a local reaction of redness or mild pain in the injection site.

Sometimes there is a general bad feeling that lasts for a day or two.

It is important to remember that these reactions are not flu-like effects but a reaction of the body that can be caused by any vaccine.

The killed vaccine against influenza can not cause the flu, as it is made up of virus particles, and a dead virus cannot cause any disease.

More significant side effects are very rare.

The live-attenuated vaccine can cause runny nose, cough, fever, etc., which pass quickly.

The vaccine does not have an immediate effect.

The immune system takes about two to three weeks to produce an immune response that prevents disease.

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