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Important Details About Flu Shots Mobile AL Patients Should Be Aware Of

By Kristen Baird


Mistakenly undermined as non-threatening, influenza infects thousands of Americans every year, landing some of them in the hospital, or in the most serious cases, it can cause death. Young infants, elderly people, and those with impaired immunity are most susceptible to developing serious complications from this potentially fatal viral illness, however with routine seasonal flu shots Mobile AL influenza cases can be greatly reduced.

When someone receives an influenza vaccine, it stimulates the production of antibodies against these viruses. It typically takes about two weeks for this immunity to develop. Influenza viruses are categorized as either "A" or "B" strains, and most vaccines provide protection against a combination of these viruses.

The most common vaccines are classified as either trivalent or quadrivalent. Recipients of a trivalent vaccine are given protection from three strains of flu, HINI and H3N2 which are "A" viruses and also one "B" virus. Those who get a quadrivalent vaccine receive the same protection, along with the addition of one other "B" influenza. There is also a nasal spray version of some vaccines, which can be given to people from 2 to 49 years of age.

The nasal spray vaccine is considered the first choice for healthy children between 2 and 8 years old, but if not available, a regular injection should be administered. Others will receive either a regular vaccine, high-dose vaccine, or intradermal injection. A doctor can recommend which option is best.

Precautions must be taken to ensure that each patient is given the appropriate vaccine for his or her age. High-dose vaccines are indicated for people over age 65, and intradermal shots are intended for those who are between 18 and 64 only. People with an allergy to eggs, will need an inoculation that is prepared using a cell culture instead.

Generally the flu season in the United States starts in October and concludes in May. Healthy people from the age of six months and up are advised to get immunized each year, ideally before the season begins. Manufacturers usually start shipping out vaccines as early as August and continue to distribute them throughout the fall and into the peak flu period, which most often happens in January.

There are many places where one can receive a flu vaccine including the doctor's office, public health clinics, health centers at educational facilities, and sometimes in schools, or at the work place. It is important for everyone of age to get vaccinated each year due to the fact that immunity naturally declines after each shot, and because strains of influenza tend to change over time, altering the inoculations from year to year.

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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