Facts About The Importance Of Flu Shots Mobile AL Patients Should Be Familiar With

By Kristen Baird


Influenza is a common viral illness which afflicts thousands of Americans each year. Often underestimated, the flu can lead to serious complications in some individuals resulting in hospitalization and unfortunately death in the worst cases. People who have weakened immune systems, the elderly, and infants are the most at risk. Regular immunization of all persons over the age of six months is the best prevention. By understanding the need for flu shots Mobile AL residents will recognize how essential it is to have this done every year.

An inoculation against the influenza virus works by stimulating the production of antibodies that will help destroy the microorganism if it enters the body. Within two weeks of receiving the vaccine, the antibodies will form. Flu viruses are classified as either A or B influenzas, most immunizations protect against a combination of these strains.

There are two main types of flu vaccines available, trivalent and quadrivalent. The former provides protection against three different viruses, usually the "A" viruses H1NI and H3N2, and a B influenza. The latter type affords protection from the same viruses as the trivalent, with the addition of one other B virus. It can be given as a shot, or also as a nasal spray vaccine that is suitable for individuals between the ages of 2 and 49.

Physicians often prefer to use the nasal spray vaccine for healthy children between the ages of 2 and 8, but it this is not possible, a regular injection will be given instead. Other patients will be inoculated with a regular vaccine, high-dose vaccine, or intradermal injection according to what the doctor deems most suitable.

Not every type of vaccine can be safely used on patients of all ages, for instance, intradermal shots are only indicated for people between the ages of 18 and 64, and high-dose vaccines are meant for those over 65 years of age. Eggs are used as a base for many vaccines, but some people are allergic to them, so they will need to receive a vaccination prepared using cell cultures instead.

Flu season in the United States typically begins in October and ends in May. It is recommended that everyone who is at least six months of age should receive the immunization each year prior to the start of the season.These vaccines usually become available sometime in August. Distribution continues throughout the autumn months and continues into the peak season which usually occurs around January.

Vaccinations are widely available in most communities and may be offered in the workplace, at school, at a college health center, and of course at the doctor's office and in public health clinics. Yearly immunization is recommended because people's immunity gradually lessens over time, and also because the strains of flu which are prevalent tend to vary from one year to the next.

It is still possible to get the flu after receiving an immunization, however the illness is likely to much milder in nature with less serious implications than it would be without being vaccinated. Some people will experience some minor side effects following vaccination such as a slight fever, and soreness at the injection site, and in the case of the nasal spray vaccine, there may be a headache, sore throat, or runny nose, but these symptoms do not last long and are preferable to becoming very ill with influenza.




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