Extra: Flu Vaccination
There are two types of flu vaccines:
The flu shot
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including pregnant women, healthy people, and people with chronic medical conditions. The flu shot is not indicated for people with allergies to eggs and other components of the vaccine.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine
The nasal-spray flu vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. *(Healthy indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications). FluMist is not indicated for people with allergies to eggs and other components of the vaccine.
Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. That means that flu protection is for the approaching flu season which begins in October and peaks in our area in January, February, and March.
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/extra/flu_vaccination_1.php