Seasonal influenza vaccine .. does it protect against corona?

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The importance of seasonal influenza vaccination is of historical importance, as Hippocrates is considered the first to describe influenza, and that was in 412 BC. In 1933, the virus was detected for the first time, and in 1947 the World Health Organization established an annual vaccination program, by monitoring antigens (immune particles stimulating antibodies) found in birds, pigs and humans. So does the influenza vaccine still retain its importance, especially with the Corona virus pandemic?

Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Bassiouni, former dean of medicine in Minya and professor of immunity, says: Influenza is an infection that affects the respiratory system and can cause serious complications, especially in young children, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions. Flu vaccinations, although not 100 percent effective, are the best way to prevent suffering from influenza and its complications. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccinations for everyone 6 months or older. Although the flu shot does not always provide complete protection, it is worth taking it.

Bassiouni indicated that the annual flu vaccine this year will provide protection against four of the influenza viruses expected to spread this season. A high-dose influenza vaccine will also be available, as well as an additional vaccine, for those aged 65 and over. The flu vaccine is manufactured by specialized centers and takes about six months to produce. Availability of influenza vaccine depends on when it is completed. But generally, vaccines begin shipping in August. Doctors and nurses may start giving people the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their areas. It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after getting the vaccine, but your body can benefit from the vaccine even if you take it after the flu season begins.

The “professor of immunology” explained that it is best to get the flu shot in September and October. Because influenza viruses develop so quickly, the vaccine you received last year may not protect you from contracting viruses this year. New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting influenza viruses. When you receive the vaccine, your immune system produces antibodies to protect you from the viruses in it. But antibody levels may decrease over time, which is another reason why you should receive a flu vaccine every year

Adding, that vaccination is very important, especially for people most vulnerable to complications from the flu, including pregnant women, the elderly, and young children. Children between the ages of 6 months and 8 years may need two doses of the flu vaccine four weeks apart. After that, they can be given one dose of the flu vaccine every year. The vaccine greatly reduces the risk of infant death from influenza infection. There are things that may increase your risk of developing flu complications, such as chronic medical conditions. Examples include asthma, cancer and its treatment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, HIV, AIDS, kidney or liver disease, and obesity.

Anyone with a chronic health condition should have the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is available as an injection or a nasal spray. In recent years, there have been concerns that the nasal spray flu vaccine is not effective enough against certain types of influenza. The nasal spray vaccine is expected to be most effective in the 2020-2021 season. The nasal spray vaccine is approved for people between the ages of 2 and 49.

It is noteworthy that the nasal influenza vaccine is not recommended for some people, including children under the age of two years, adults of 50 years and over, pregnant women, children between two and 17 years who take aspirin or a medicine containing salicylates, people with weak immune systems, as well as children 2 to 4 years old who have had asthma or wheezing in the past 12 months.

There are also other groups who are advised to be careful about using the flu vaccine via nasal spray, such as people with chronic medical conditions. The flu vaccine can also be received via an injection, usually given in a muscle in the arm. If you are an adult under the age of 65, you may also choose to have the vaccine under the skin, or you may prefer to receive the vaccine with a jet-injection device, which relies on releasing a liquid in the form of a narrow, high-pressure stream to penetrate the skin rather than with a needle.

And about the fears that have spread about the flu vaccine, causing the flu. Dr. Bassiouni denied, stressing that it also does not increase the risk of exposure to Covid-19. But a person may develop flu-like symptoms even if they receive the flu vaccine, for several reasons, including the body’s reaction to the vaccine. Some people develop muscle aches and a fever for a day or two after getting the flu shot. This could be a side effect of your body producing protective antibodies.

And he pointed out that the vaccine, it takes about two weeks to take full effect. So if a person is exposed to the flu shortly after receiving a vaccine or during the two-week period, they may get the flu. In some seasons, the influenza viruses used in the vaccine do not match the viruses circulating in the flu season. If that happens, the flu vaccine is less effective, but it can still provide some protection.

There are many other diseases that also cause flu-like symptoms, including the common cold. So you may think that you have influenza although this is unhealthy, and the effectiveness of the flu vaccine in protecting against disease varies. The influenza vaccine is generally more effective in people under 65 years of age. It has been shown to be approximately 50% to 60% effective in adults between the ages of 18 and 64 years. Sometimes, the vaccine may be less effective. But even when the vaccine does not completely prevent the flu, it may reduce the severity of the disease and the risk of complications or the risk of developing a severe case that requires admission to hospital. The flu vaccine does not protect against infection with Covid-19. But it is especially necessary to get the flu vaccine this season because influenza and Coronavirus (Covid 19) have similar symptoms. The flu vaccine may relieve symptoms that may be difficult to distinguish from those of Covid-19.

The “immunology professor” gave some advice, saying: There are additional steps that can be protected from influenza and any virus, even corona, which is to follow known precautionary measures, with regular exercise, getting enough sleep, drinking an ample amount of fluids, and following a regimen A healthy diet, control of stress and distance from stress, and a commitment to stay at home, if you have the flu, to prevent its spread.