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What is influenza (flu)?
Influenza is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Influenza affects people of all ages Outbreaks of influenza occur almost every year, usually in winter. This is why it is also known as seasonal flu.
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How serious is flu?
Flu is often self limiting with most people recovering in 2-7 days. However, flu can be severe and can cause serious illness and death, especially in the very young and in the elderly. Serious respiratory complications can develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis, to which older people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible. Pregnant women have also been found to be at increased risk of the complications of flu. Some people may need hospital treatment and a number of mainly older people die from influenza each winter.
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Is it cold or flu?
It can be difficult at times to tell between the common cold and flu. A cold is a much less severe illness than flu. The flu symptoms come on suddenly with fevers and muscle aches. A cold usually starts gradually with symptoms of a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose.
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Why do healthcare workers need the vaccine?
Flu vaccine is recommended for healthcare workers to protect them from getting flu and to reduce transmission of flu from them to their family and patients. They care for elderly and at risk patients who may not get sufficient protection from the vaccine themselves. Flu is spread by coughing and sneezing. Anyone with flu can be infectious from 1 day before to 3 – 5 days after onset of symptoms. This means that you can pass on flu or the flu virus to somebody you care for even before you know that you are sick.
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Why is a flu vaccine required every year?
Each year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine contains three common influenza virus strains. The flu virus changes each year this is why a new influenza vaccine has to be given each year. This year’s flu vaccine contains the Swine Flu strain which is likely to be one of the common strains causing flu this winter.
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How does seasonal flu vaccine work?
Seasonal flu vaccine helps the person’s immune system to produce antibodies to the flu virus. When someone who has been vaccinated comes into contact with the virus these antibodies attack the virus.
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How safe is flu vaccine?
Seasonal flu vaccines have been given for more than 60 years to millions of people across the world. Reactions are generally mild and serious side effects are very rare. The seasonal flu vaccines cannot give you the flu.
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Who should get vaccinated?
Flu vaccine is recommended for all frontline healthcare workers including:
Medical, nursing and paramedical staff, Medical and nursing students, Dental personnel, Hospital porters and cleaners, Ambulance personnel, Carers.
The vaccine is also recommended for other groups because they are at an increased risk of developing complications from the flu.
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Should pregnant healthcare workers be vaccinated?
Yes. Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for all pregnant women. This is because during the pandemic, pregnant women were at higher risk of complications from the Swine Flu virus. The Swine Flu virus is still around and is expected to be the most common strain this winter. Pregnant women need to be protected. The seasonal flu vaccine will provide protection against the Swine Flu virus and can be given at any stage of pregnancy.
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Will the flu vaccination give me the flu?
No, flu vaccine will not give you the flu. Flu vaccine contains killed or inactivated viruses and therefore cannot cause flu. It does, however, take 10 – 14 days for the vaccine to start protecting against flu.
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When should I get vaccinated?
Vaccination should ideally be undertaken in late September/October each year.
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How long does it take the vaccine to work?
The vaccine starts to work within two weeks.
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Is there anyone who cannot get flu vaccine?
Most people can get flu vaccine.
It is not recommended for those who have:
- a history of anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of flu vaccine or any part of the vaccine.
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What about people with egg allergy?
People with egg allergy can get seasonal flu vaccine. This may be given by your occupational health unit or GP or you may need referral to a hospital specialist.
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When should vaccination be postponed?
There are very few reasons why vaccination should be postponed. Vaccination should be re-scheduled if you have an acute illness with a temperature greater than 38°C.
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What should I expect after vaccination?
You may get soreness or redness around the injection site. You may experience a mild generalised reaction of fever, fatigue and headache for up to 48 hours after receiving the vaccine. These non-specific side effects do not mean that you are getting flu.
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How do I get vaccinated?
Contact your line manager, occupational health department or general practitioner for further details.
The vaccine and consultation are free to those within the recommended groups who have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘Doctor Only Card’. Family doctors charge a consultation fee for seasonal flu vaccine to those who do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘Doctor Only Card’.
Healthcare workers should
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Where can I find out more?
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