 |
| photo/ad credit: CDC |
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
Each year, influenza results in an average of 114,000 hospitalization and 25,000 deaths in the United States. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all persons over the age of 6 months (unless there is a medical contra-indication) should receive immunization, preferably by October. Early immunization is important because seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.
Multiple influenza vaccines are now available. These include standard intramuscular vaccine, intradermal vaccine, and live attenuated vaccine. The live attenuated vaccine should be provided only to healthy non-pregnant persons (i.e., do NOT provide to pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, persons with asthma). It can be provided to healthcare personnel (HCP) but should HCP who receive this vaccine should not work in a protected environment that houses stem cell transplant patients (i.e., BMTU unit) for 5 days after immunization. They may work with all other groups of patients including neonates and immunocompromised patients. All HCP should receive influenza vaccine annually unless there is a medical contra-indication. Occupational health services may wish to stock in addition to a standard intramuscular (IM) vaccine both the intradermal (ID) and inhaled (LAIV) vaccines as some healthcare providers may prefer these vaccines. High dose vaccine is also available for persons >65 years of age; it is more immunogenic (i.e., higher antibody titers) and reactogenic (i.e., increased frequency of local reactions to the vaccine) but studies have not been published assessing whether it is more effective in preventing influenza that standard dose influenza vaccines.
