Pharmacist Talk-Flu Vaccine

[brostholder]

:024:This year's flu vaccine INCLUDES 2009 H1N1 and comes in a higher dose version called Fluzone HD for seniors.
All the 2010 vaccines (Fluzone, FluMist, etc) contain the 2009 H1N1 strain plus two additional "seasonal" strains.
This year flu vaccine is recommended for people 6 months and older.
Seasonal flu causes more complications in the elderly and those with certain chronic conditions...H1N1 causes more complications in children, young adults, and pregnant women.
We expect enough vaccine for everyone who wants it.
Some flu vaccines are delayed a few weeks for new labeling that the prefilled syringe tip caps MIGHT contain latex. If you are allergic to latex, consider using a multidose vial vaccine instead.
Most people will need just one dose of flu vaccine.
Kids age 8 and under who are getting flu vaccine for the first time...or did not get H1N1 vaccine last year should get 2 doses.
Fluzone HD for seniors. This high-dose vaccine has 4 times as much antigen as the standard adult vaccine to help boost immunity.
It can increase antibody titers. But that doesn't necessarily mean it will be more effective for preventing flu.
Seniors shouldn't automatically use Fluzone HD . It can cause more local reactions and "flu-like" symptoms. It also costs twice as much...but it's covered by Medicare part B for seniors.
Consider Fluzone HD if you are over 65 and are at higher risk for flu complications.
For kids under 8, don't use Afluria vaccine The formulation used in the southern hemisphere this year caused seizures and high fevers in young children.
Barry

[graciegirl]

We had ours last week and for the first time ever, I felt a little punk.

It is worth it to avoid the true nasty stuff. AND maybe it was another microbe that gave me a little headache and crummy feeling for a day or two.

[K9-Lovers]

Should I have the flu shot if I have had Epstein-Barr virus, which still shows in my blood?

[Pturner]

:024:This year's flu vaccine INCLUDES 2009 H1N1 and comes in a higher dose version called Fluzone HD for seniors.
All the 2010 vaccines (Fluzone, FluMist, etc) contain the 2009 H1N1 strain plus two additional "seasonal" strains.
This year flu vaccine is recommended for people 6 months and older.
Seasonal flu causes more complications in the elderly and those with certain chronic conditions...H1N1 causes more complications in children, young adults, and pregnant women.
We expect enough vaccine for everyone who wants it.
Some flu vaccines are delayed a few weeks for new labeling that the prefilled syringe tip caps MIGHT contain latex. If you are allergic to latex, consider using a multidose vial vaccine instead.
Most people will need just one dose of flu vaccine.
Kids age 8 and under who are getting flu vaccine for the first time...or did not get H1N1 vaccine last year should get 2 doses.
Fluzone HD for seniors. This high-dose vaccine has 4 times as much antigen as the standard adult vaccine to help boost immunity.
It can increase antibody titers. But that doesn't necessarily mean it will be more effective for preventing flu.
Seniors shouldn't automatically use Fluzone HD . It can cause more local reactions and "flu-like" symptoms. It also costs twice as much...but it's covered by Medicare part B for seniors.
Consider Fluzone HD if you are over 65 and are at higher risk for flu complications.
For kids under 8, don't use Afluria vaccine The formulation used in the southern hemisphere this year caused seizures and high fevers in young children.
Barry

Barry, thanks for this timely and helpful information.

[zcaveman]

We went to Walgreen's the other day to get a prescription filled and they were giving the flu shots. No waiting. So we am good for this year.

Like Gracie I did feel a little yucky that evening but I was okay the next day.

[EdV]

.....for the first time ever, I felt a little punk...

My heavens Gracie, you must have been quite delirious. I hope he wasn’t a minor.

[zcaveman]

My heavens Gracie, you must have been quite delirious. I hope he wasn’t a minor.

ROFLMAO!!! :a040::a040:

[Pturner]

My heavens Gracie, you must have been quite delirious. I hope he wasn’t a minor.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Pturner]

My heavens Gracie, you must have been quite delirious. I hope he wasn’t a minor.

OMG, I'm still laughing. :mademyday:

[graciegirl]

Boy Howdy!:D

[brostholder]

Should I have the flu shot if I have had Epstein-Barr virus, which still shows in my blood?
I see no contraindications for receiving the vaccine if you have Epstein-Barr. My first thoughts are that since you may have a slightly compromised immune system due to EB, then the flu shot would be a good idea. Let's not confuse this with Guillaine-Barre which IS contraindicated for the flu shot. Before you do anything, my advice is to check with your doctor.

[K9-Lovers]

I see no contraindications for receiving the vaccine if you have Epstein-Barr. My first thoughts are that since you may have a slightly compromised immune system due to EB, then the flu shot would be a good idea. Let's not confuse this with Guillaine-Barre which IS contraindicated for the flu shot. Before you do anything, my advice is to check with your doctor.

Thank you, brostholder. I have EB, not Guillaine-Barre. I will take that flu shot. Thanks again.

[graciegirl]

Epstein-Barre is frequently said to be the cause of Mononucleosis and chronic fatique syndrome, and will show up on blood tests if you were previously infected. Guillian-Barre' is the cause of a certain form of paralysis that happens much more rarely.

What about the flu vaccine would connect with Guillian-Barre'? The cause of Guillian Barre' hasn't been indentified if I remember correctly.

[bkcunningham1]

I don't know if this is the answer Gracie. It is interesting though.

I have never had a flu shot. I had the flu once in my life. I believe it was just about one of the worst illnesses I've ever encountered.

Doctors told us otherwise; but I know with all of my heart and soul that my Mom got pneumonia after receiving her pneumonia shot. She had acute diabetes and ended up in ICU in a coma. She'd never had the flu or pneumonia before in her life. She got pneumonia about three days after getting her shot.


http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/gbs_qa.htm

[Pturner]

I don't know if this is the answer Gracie. It is interesting though.

I have never had a flu shot. I had the flu once in my life. I believe it was just about one of the worst illnesses I've ever encountered.

Doctors told us otherwise; but I know with all of my heart and soul that my Mom got pneumonia after receiving her pneumonia shot. She had acute diabetes and ended up in ICU in a coma. She'd never had the flu or pneumonia before in her life. She got pneumonia about three days after getting her shot.


http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/gbs_qa.htm

Wow Cuz,
My mom got pneumonia a few years ago three days after getting a pneumonia shot too.

[graciegirl]

Wow Cuz,
My mom got pneumonia a few years ago three days after getting a pneumonia shot too.

When I hear that from two people who I truly respect, my mind leaps to conclusions!

[SALYBOW]

Should I have the flu shot if I have had Epstein-Barr virus, which still shows in my blood?

I don't think they will give it to you.

[K9-Lovers]

I don't think they will give it to you.

I've had Epstein-Barr virus since I was infected with mononucleosis in junior high. Also suffered from chronic fatique for a duration of 5 years in early 2001and I understand this is all Epstein-Barr related. But, I've never been refused a flu shot.

I'm more cautious with what goes into my body now than I was before. That's why I asked.

[brostholder]

Epstein-Barre is frequently said to be the cause of Mononucleosis and chronic fatique syndrome, and will show up on blood tests if you were previously infected. Guillian-Barre' is the cause of a certain form of paralysis that happens much more rarely.

What about the flu vaccine would connect with Guillian-Barre'? The cause of Guillian Barre' hasn't been indentified if I remember correctly.

Gracie, you are correct.I should have been a bit more specific. People who are not at high risk for flu should not be vaccinated within 6 weeks of a GBS episode. The following is from the Centers for Disease Control:
The incidence of GBS among the general population is low, but persons with a history of GBS have a substantially greater likelihood of subsequently experiencing GBS than persons without such a history . Thus, the likelihood of coincidentally experiencing GBS after influenza vaccination is expected to be greater among persons with a history of GBS than among persons with no history of this syndrome. Whether influenza vaccination specifically might increase the risk for recurrence of GBS is unknown. Among 311 patients with GBS who responded to a survey, 11 (4%) reported some worsening of symptoms after influenza vaccination; however, some of these patients had received other vaccines at the same time, and recurring symptoms were generally mild (317). However, as a precaution, persons who are not at high risk for severe influenza complications and who are known to have experienced GBS within 6 weeks of receipt of an influenza vaccine generally should not be vaccinated. As an alternative, physicians might consider using influenza antiviral chemoprophylaxis for these persons. Although data are limited, the established benefits of influenza vaccination might outweigh the risks for many persons who have a history of GBS and who also are at high risk for severe complications from influenza.

[graciegirl]

Gracie, you are correct.I should have been a bit more specific. People who are not at high risk for flu should not be vaccinated within 6 weeks of a GBS episode. The following is from the Centers for Disease Control:
The incidence of GBS among the general population is low, but persons with a history of GBS have a substantially greater likelihood of subsequently experiencing GBS than persons without such a history . Thus, the likelihood of coincidentally experiencing GBS after influenza vaccination is expected to be greater among persons with a history of GBS than among persons with no history of this syndrome. Whether influenza vaccination specifically might increase the risk for recurrence of GBS is unknown. Among 311 patients with GBS who responded to a survey, 11 (4%) reported some worsening of symptoms after influenza vaccination; however, some of these patients had received other vaccines at the same time, and recurring symptoms were generally mild (317). However, as a precaution, persons who are not at high risk for severe influenza complications and who are known to have experienced GBS within 6 weeks of receipt of an influenza vaccine generally should not be vaccinated. As an alternative, physicians might consider using influenza antiviral chemoprophylaxis for these persons. Although data are limited, the established benefits of influenza vaccination might outweigh the risks for many persons who have a history of GBS and who also are at high risk for severe complications from influenza.

Thank you Brostholder. Your good information is so appreciated here. What a good, and SMART person you are!

[K9-Lovers]

Yes, thank you!

[brostholder]

Thank you Brostholder. Your good information is so appreciated here. What a good, and SMART person you are!

and you are obviously a fine judge of character!!

[bkcunningham1]

Thank you brostholder for your time and information. I think you are a true asset to this forum. This forum is made up of people who are really a true wealth of information and you my friend are one of the best. Again, thank you.

[brostholder]

Thank you brostholder for your time and information. I think you are a true asset to this forum. This forum is made up of people who are really a true wealth of information and you my friend are one of the best. Again, thank you.
believe me....it was my pleasure!