Photos: The most common questions about flu vaccination
Under the sponsorship of flu, seasonal flu causes 3 – 5 million severe cases in the world, and about 250 – 500 thousand deaths, and the flu vaccine is a great way to prevent infection. The vaccine does not cause flu, and if symptoms of infection occur near the vaccine, it may indicate that the vaccination was given during the period of the year of detention, or that the disease is caused by another cause. Is the vaccine given against one type of virus? The flu vaccine is given against a group of viruses, and these viruses are determined, depending on the expectations of the World Health Organization for viruses that are expected to be more deadly in the same year, mostly expectations to predict viruses in the same year. Is it sufficient to receive the vaccination once? Some people believe it is sufficient to receive vaccination once, but it is wrong to prevent flu with flu vaccination for once, and doctors recommend that they receive vaccination against flu annually, as the body produces antibodies against the type of flu infected, and that these antibodies do not occur the disease due to another type of influenza virus. Is the vaccine effective? The efficacy of the vaccine is very high that can reach 70% – 100%, and there is usually a similarity between the items given and the types of viruses spread in the same season, and its effectiveness reduces 40% – about 60% in the absence of a match between them, or if they give vaccination to the elderly and babies. Is the flu vaccine only for the elderly? It is true that there is a recommendation to vaccinate the elderly because it is more likely to occur in flu complications, but it is not the only one, as it is also recommended to vaccinate children from the age of 6 months to 4 years, and there is no objection to the most vulnerable groups. Can pregnant women receive the vaccine? It is recommended for pregnant women or who plan pregnancy to take the vaccine, as the vaccination of flu can protect the pregnant woman from complications. In addition, studies have shown that vaccination against flu during pregnancy can protect the child from the flu until the age of 6 months. When should the vaccination be received? It is important to jeopardize people in winter, and it is generally recommended to receive flu vaccination from the beginning of October to the end of November, but even if the vaccine is not obtained during this period, it can be obtained later. Are the side effects serious? No, it’s not true, usually the side effects of flu vaccination are simple and fast, and most of it is localized, such as: redness, swelling of the needle and allergies for a day or two. By Mona Khair