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Private Flu Vaccinations

FLU - THE FACTS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is flu?
Influenza (or flu), is an infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, airways, and lungs) caused by the influenza virus. Two types of influenza virus, A and B, cause the flu, but within these categories there are many strains. Although flu is similar in some ways to the common cold, it begins suddenly and symptoms are much more severe than those of a cold.

What are the symptoms of flu?
The incubation period (from exposure to the onset of symptoms) ranges from 1-4 days. Symptoms usually begin suddenly with high temperature (38°c or 100°F or more), muscle aches, headache, dry cough, and weakness. Sore throat and stuffy nose may also occur. Severe symptoms including fever often last for 3-5 days.  Symptoms such as cough, weakness, and fatigue may persist for weeks.

Can I avoid getting flu?
The most effective way of preventing the flu is getting the influenza vaccine each year. Vaccination prevents 70-90% of infections in healthy young adults. It takes up to 2 weeks after vaccination to develop immunity, so it's best to get vaccinated before flu season begins.

How do you know what type of flu to vaccinate against?
The World Health Organisation monitors the spread of influenza viruses world-wide as there are some predictable patterns of viral change.  They recommend which virus strains to include in the vaccine to combat the forthcoming seasonal flu type.

Does this year’s seasonal flu vaccine contain protection against swine flu?
Yes.

Does it matter if I have had a Swine Flu vaccination in the past?
No, further doses will act as a booster to reinforce immunity.

Is there a flu vaccine that I can have that just protects against seasonal flu strains and does not include the protection against swine flu?
No 

How will it protect me?
About 7-10 days after you have had the flu injection, your body starts making antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are proteins that recognise and fight off germs that have invaded your blood. They help protect you against any similar viruses you then come into contact with. 

How long will it protect me?
The flu jab will protect you from seasonal flu for about a year. The flu virus changes every year, so you need to have a flu jab annually to make sure that you are protected against the latest strain of the virus.  It is believed that the vaccine will protect you from the H1N1 strain for life.

Can I catch flu from the vaccine?
The seasonal flu vaccine is a split viron vaccine.  This means that it only contains fragments of influenza virus (of various strains) which has the advantage of promoting immunity without the risk of getting “flu” from it.  It is no longer a live vaccine and so is extremely well tolerated. 

Are there any side effects from the vaccine?
The flu vaccine is very safe and is usually well tolerated. Like all medicines, flu vaccines can cause some side effects, although not everybody gets them. 

Some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards and your arm may feel a bit sore where you were injected, but this usually disappears within a couple of days. Any other reactions are very rare

Is there anyone who shouldn’t be given a flu vaccine?
There are very few people who cannot receive an influenza vaccine. These are:

  • people with an allergy to hen eggs
  • people who have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of the flu vaccine
  • people who are ill with a fever - the vaccination should be delayed until they have recovered.

Can pregnant women have the vaccination?
Women should tell the nurse if they are pregnant or think they may be. Limited data from flu vaccinations in pregnant women does not indicate that the vaccine would have harmful effects on the pregnancy or the baby however, pregnant women should not have the vaccine during the 1st trimester of pregnancy.  The use of the vaccine may be considered from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.

Can I get a flu jab if I'm breastfeeding?
Yes.

I am allergic to penicillin. Can I still have the flu jab?
Yes, you can safely have the flu jab if you are allergic to penicillin.

When am I most at risk from flu?
Influenza reappears every winter, usually over a short period of a few weeks, which means that a lot of people get ill around the same time. In a very bad year, this can amount to an epidemic.

Can I get a flu jab on the NHS?
You can ask your NHS GP for a flu jab if you:

  • are 65 or over
  • have a serious medical condition
  • live in a residential or nursing home
  • are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
  • are a healthcare or social care professional directly involved in patient care
  • work with poultry

Everyone else will have to get a flu vaccine privately.