Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that has symptoms similar to those of other acute respiratory viral infections but is much more dangerous.
About 6 million infectious diseases are registered in Ukraine every year, 98% of which are influenza and other acute viral infections.
Annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza.
Vaccination is primarily recommended for people who are at risk, for example:
It is desirable to be vaccinated before the beginning of the circulation of influenza viruses (in September-October), so that immunity and a sufficient number of protective antibodies are formed. This takes about two weeks. However, it is allowed to be vaccinated later, even during an outbreak of influenza.
Why is it necessary to get vaccinated every year? There are many strains of influenza virus that mutate rapidly and change each year. Therefore, according to the WHO recommendation, the strain composition of vaccines changes annually and, accordingly, vaccinations provide protection for one season of influenza.
Adults and children 9 months of age and older should receive one dose of the vaccine. However, children under the age of 9 who have never been vaccinated for influenza are recommended to take a second dose at least 4 weeks apart.
Vaccination of pregnant women
Pregnant women should be vaccinated against the flu in any trimester. There are two main reasons: first, pregnant women are usually difficult to tolerate the flu, which also adversely affects the fetus; secondly, as a result of vaccination, immunity against this disease will be transmitted to the baby from the mother and will protect the child from the flu during the first months of life.
The greatest danger is the flu for people who are at risk. First of all, these are children under 5 (especially children under 2). Therefore, children from six months can and should be vaccinated against influenza.
Yes, especially if you belong to one of the risk groups for this dangerous disease. The immune system of a person who has had the flu develops a stable immunity that lasts for more than a year. But there is a risk of contracting another strain of influenza virus, which is also circulating at this time. Also, people often believe that they have the flu (without confirmation of this diagnosis by a physician), although in fact it was a severe form of other acute respiratory infections with similar symptoms.
