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More Information about Influenza (Flu) Vaccinations

General information about influenza (flu)

Influenza (flu) in healthy persons is generally a very unpleasant illness (high fever of more than 38C, shivering, sore throat, cough, muscle pains). Caused by the influenza virus, it usually is self-limiting and often follows a 9 day pattern (3 days getting worse, 3 days feeling terrible and 3 days getting better). It should not be confused with the common cold (runny nose, sneezing, feeling weak, mild fever less than 38C) (more information).

It is possible to improve immunity against the influenza virus by vaccination; antibiotics are generally useless in the early treatment of flu, though they may be useful if a secondary infection complicates recovery.

Influenza (flu) vaccinations at Doctor Today

The vaccine we use at Doctor Today is Begrivac (by Novartis). Doses are supplied in prefilled (individual dose) syringes.

For your information:

• The product is made from viruses selected in the current year by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and CDC (Centre for Disease Control) which are grown in chicken eggs and then inactivated to ensure that transmission of the disease is impossible. IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO EGGS OR EGG PRODUCTS, THIS VACCINE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR YOU. If you cannot take the vaccine, you may wish to consider other preventative agents (such as amantadine or oseltamivir), but generally these medications are active only against influenza A and must be taken daily even when not ill.
• This is not a live vaccine, so it can be given to pregnant women, children and immune-compromised persons (i.e. those who are suffering from other illnesses) without problem. All persons aged 65 or over, pregnant women or immune-compromised patients are advised to undergo vaccination.
• Nearly all adult influenza vaccines contain trace amounts of thiomersal as a preservative to ensure freedom from contamination (more information). Thiomersal contains mercury, although typically the amount in a vaccine is less than is present in a small tin of tuna. In addition, the mercury is in biodegradable form (i.e. ethylmercury, which does not accumulate in the body). There is no scientific evidence that thiomersal is harmful. However, some people are concerned about possible side effects in children. At present we do not have stocks of preservative-free vaccine but if you are interested please let us know and we will see what can be done to source it for you. Some alternative preservative-free vaccines have had supply and safety problems recently.
• Side effects of vaccination are generally mild: sometimes a feeling of soreness at the injection site for a few days, very occasionally a mild fever. Flu vaccination cannot give you 'flu!
• Once given, immunity takes approximately two weeks to be sufficient to give good protection. It is important to realise that influenza vaccination does NOT prevent infection by the common cold; nor does it guarantee protection against all known strains of influenza. However, if you are immunised against influenza, and particularly if this is a yearly routine for you, if you do contract influenza of another sort (eg avian/bird flu, or a new influenza A) then it is believed you are less likely to suffer the severe symptoms which might occur if you get a dose of bird flu while you are low with ordinary flu.
• There is no specific vaccine available in the UK for avian/bird flu at present. However, the WHO recommends influenza vaccination for persons at high risk of contracting this disease (more information).
• Flu vaccination ideally needs to be done once a year every year as the virus continually changes its structure. As you build up immunity to more and more strains, the chances of getting a recurrent strain become reduced.
• IF A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 12 YEARS HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST FLU, A REPEAT DOSE IN 4 TO 6 WEEKS IS RECOMMENDED.

General advice on avoiding infection with influenza and common cold viruses

• These viruses are sometimes transmitted through the air, which of course is difficult to avoid in confined spaces such as underground trains and buses. However a major method of transmission is by rubbing the nose or rubbing the eyes with hands that have touched something that has the virus on it. When a sufferer uses a tissue, the virus is automatically transferred to the hands that hold the tissue. Then the hand touches a stair rail, door handle or any other item around, and others touch the same handle, rub their nose or eyes and a new infection results. This is why children's nurseries are a very common place to pick up infection.
• THEREFORE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN NOT GETTING INFECTED IS HAND HYGIENE AND MAKING SURE YOU NEVER TOUCH YOUR NOSE OR EYES WITH UNWASHED HANDS
• Similarly if you have a cold and are sneezing or using toilet tissues, make sure these do not get damp, and wash your hands frequently. A good tip is to use an alcohol gel to rub on your hands after using tissues if you cannot get to a wash basin.
• Attention to your general health and improving resistance with a good exercise, fresh air and healthy eating programme is helpful. Supplementation with zinc 15mg per day is thought to decrease the length of symptoms in recovery from the common cold.

Please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@doctortoday.co.uk or call us on 020 7433 1444 if you have any further questions or wish to make an appointment. Site visits to companies can also be arranged upon request.