The seasonal flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and the community from influenza, says Victoria Farrugia Sant’Angelo. She explains to Stephanie Fsadni why people may still get ill after vaccination but stresses that the benefits outweigh the risks of not getting the jab.
Different strains of influenza circle the world each year, with each strain affecting individuals in different ways. Scientists can predict with a certain degree of success which viruses will dominate each flu season and the World Health Organisation can thus recommend which strains are to be included in the seasonal influenza vaccine.
This season, about 65,000 people availed themselves of the vaccine –80,000 vaccines were distributed for free at health centres. This is a lower number than last year’s when 5,000 jabs, left over from the 80,000 purchased by the government, had to be thrown away.
There are no records to show how many people bought the vaccine privately from pharmacies, but Times of Malta reported last December that several pharmacies were running out of the vaccine.
Yet, some people still fear the jab. Common beliefs are that the jab itself can cause illness or that you can still suffer a bout of influenza after getting it.
“The vaccine will only protect against the influenza virus types contained in it,” explains Victoria Farrugia Sant’Angelo, the immunisation programme manager at the Primary Healthcare Department.
The traditional flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses as recommended by the WHO annually. This year the flu vaccine contains two influenza A sub-types: the H1N1 (swine flu) and the H3N2 strains, and an influenza B virus.
“The choice of viruses used in the vaccine depends on the flu viruses which were circulating in the southern hemisphere during the influenza season there. If the virus changes after the vaccine has been produced and distributed in the northern hemisphere, then the vaccine loses its potency.
Influenza can affect anyone, even healthy people and these will then spread it to others
“Unfortunately, this is what happened in 2014 when a new strain of influenza virus appeared in December and which was completely different from the three viruses contained in the vaccine.”
Between December 2014 and January 2015, hundreds of patients (some 700 more than in the previous year) were hospitalised due to influenza.
One must also be aware that the vaccine does not offer protection against the common cold, which is caused by a different type of virus than the influenza strain. Moreover, like any other vaccine, the flu jab may have some minor side effects.
“These include some pain or redness at the site of the injection, a slight fever and headache or muscle aches. All these symptoms should clear up within 24 hours,” reassures Farrugia Sant’Angelo.
Despite this possibility and slight side effects, she is adamant that the annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances of getting infected with seasonal flu.
“The influenza vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against a potentially serious illness, which can lead to hospitalisation and sometimes even death.
“Influenza can affect anyone, even healthy people and these will then spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.”
The flu is contagious. Experts believe that the viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Also a person might get the flu by simply touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.
Some members of the community are more vulnerable than others to the flu, including elderly people, who may suffer from complications, such as pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Young children (under five years of age) and people with chronic conditions, such as heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes or illnesses affecting the immune system are also at high risk.
Farrugia Sant’Angelo says that the best time to get vaccinated against influenza is October to November, so as to give the body enough time to produce antibodies against the influenza virus, which usually peaks around December. The vaccine remains effective for around six to eight months. Anyone above six years of age can have the vaccine, even pregnant women.
For any queries regarding the flu vaccine, you may call the National Immunisation Service on 2568 0222/3/4.
One flu over the myths
● The flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. The vaccine is made with flu viruses that have been inactivated and therefore are not infectious.
● Some people are sceptical of the flu vaccine as they still get flu-like illness during the winter months. This is most probably a common cold which is caused by a different type of virus from the influenza virus and is not as dangerous. The influenza vaccine does not protect against the common cold.
● Contrary to common belief, the influenza vaccine can be given at any time during pregnancy. In fact, it is recommended that pregnant women should have the vaccine. This is because pregnancy may increase the risk of complications from influenza and may cause harm to the unborn baby.