Slide 1:Bellerina


Slide 2:Commonly known as Flu, influenza is a virus that infects the trachea (windpipe) or bronchi (breathing tube). It is also an infectious disease that affects birds and mammals caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). There are two types of influenza vaccine. The most common influenza vaccine is made from inactivated (killed) viruses. In June 2003, a live influenza vaccine was licensed which contains viruses that have been weakened (attenuated).


Slide 3:The influenza virus is spread from person to person by inhaling infected droplets from the air.


Influenza Symptoms :Influenza Symptoms Symptoms come on suddenly and include: High fever Chills Pharyngitis Muscle pains Severe headache Coughing Fatigue Weakness and general discomfort Irritating watering eyes Abdominal pain ( in children with influenza B) Reddened eyes, skin (esp. face), mouth, throat and nose Complications of influenza include severe, and occasionally fatal, pneumonia.


How are the vaccines made? :How are the vaccines made? The influenza vaccine is made by growing influenza virus in hen’s egg, purifying it, and completely killing it with a chemical (like formaldehyde). For inactivated vaccine, the viruses are killed with formaldehyde, purified, and packaged in vials or syringes. The live vaccine is packaged in a special sprayer. The influenza vaccine is unusual in that each year a different vaccine is made. Because strains of influenza virus that circulate in the community can differ from one season to the next, the vaccine must change to best protect against those different strains. Every year in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determines what strains of influenza are circulating, and makes sure that all the influenza vaccines that are made that season contain viruses that would protect against the circulating strains. For this reason, the influenza vaccine is probably the hardest vaccine to make.


How is the vaccine given? :How is the vaccine given? The inactivated vaccine is given as an intramuscular injection. The live attenuated vaccine is sprayed into the nose.


History of the Influenza Vaccine :History of the Influenza Vaccine Hippocrates clearly described human influenza symptoms 2,400 years ago. Since then the virus has caused numerous pandemics. The first significant steps towards preventing influenza was the development in 1944 of a killed-virus vaccine by Thomas Francis, Jr.. This built on work by Frank Macfarlane Burnet, who showed that the virus lost virulence when it was cultured in fertilized hen’s egg. Francis allowed his group of researchers to develop the first influenza vaccine, with the support from the U.S. Army. The Army was deeply involved in this research due to its experience of influenza in World War I, when thousands of troops were killed by the virus in a matter of months. Became available in 1945.


Types of Influenza :Types of Influenza Influenza Virus A. Wild aquatic birds are the natural hosts for a large variety of influenza A. Viruses are transmitted to other species and may then cause devastating outbreaks in domestic poultry or give rise to human influenza pandemics. This type of viruses are the most virulent human pathogens among three influenza types and causes the most severe disease. Influenza Virus B. This exclusively infects humans and is less common than influenza A. The only other animal known to be susceptible to influenza B infection is the seal. Influenza Virus C. This type of influenza infects humans and pigs and can cause severe illness and local epidemics. However, influenza C is less common than the other types and usually seems to cause mild disease in children.


Summary of the ecology of Influenza viruses :Summary of the ecology of Influenza viruses


Who should get vaccinated?Annual vaccination with inactived vaccine is recommended for: :Who should get vaccinated?Annual vaccination with inactived vaccine is recommended for: All person age 6 months or older wanting to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting it to others Everyone age 50 years or older Children and teens age 6 months through 18 years Residents of long term care facilities, nursing homes, and other chronic-care facilities Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary(including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus) Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season


Cont. :Cont. Anyone who has a condition (e.g., spinal cord injury or seizure disorder) that can affect their ability to cough out their respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration. Anyone whose immune system is weakened because HIV/AIDS or other diseases that affect the immune system, long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids, or cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs Children and adolescents age 6 months-18 years on long-term aspirin treatment (who could develop Reye’s syndrome if they catch influenza) Healthcare personnel


Who shouldn’t get vaccinated with live virus intranasal vaccine. :Who shouldn’t get vaccinated with live virus intranasal vaccine. Person younger than age 2 years. Persons age 50 years or older. Person with asthma, reactive airway disease or other chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems; person with other underlying medical conditions, including metabolic diseases such as diabetes, renal dysfunction, and hemoglobinopathy; or persons with known or suspected immune deficiency disease or who are receiving immunosuppressive therapies. Children ages 2 through 4 years with a history of recurrent wheezing Children or adolescents receiving long-term aspirin therapy Pregnant woman Healthcare workers, household members, and others who have close contact with severely immunocompromised individuals during the periods in which the immunosuppressed person requires care in a protective environment


cont. :cont. Persons who had serious allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous dose of influenza vaccine should not get either type of influenza vaccine (inactived or live). Persons with a history of serious egg allergies who are at increased risk for influenza or its complications should consult with their healthcare provider regarding referral to an allergist to determine if the vaccine can be given following treatment for desensitization. Persons with history of Guillain-Barre syndrome should also consult with their physicians before getting the vaccine. Persons who are moderately or severely ill at the time of their influenza vaccine appointment should usually wait until their symptoms are improved before getting the vaccine.


Is there an age limit? :Is there an age limit? YES! The inactivated (injectable) influenza vaccine can be given to most everyone except children younger than age 6 months. The live, attunated (intranasal) influenza vaccine is use only in healthy, nonpregnant individuals age 2 through 49 years.


How often should you get vaccinated? :How often should you get vaccinated? Influenza vaccine is given once a year because immunity decreases after a year and because each year’s vaccine is formulated to prevent only that year’s anticipated influenza viruses.


Is there more than one dose to this vaccine? :Is there more than one dose to this vaccine?