How much does a flu shot cost. The name of the influenza vaccine. Can you get the flu after getting vaccinated?
The 2017-2018 flu shot is an effective way to maintain health and well-being during the cold season, because the peak of the "raging" of this disease is expected very soon, at the beginning of winter. While there is still time to protect your body from infection, it is especially worth thinking about vaccination for people with weak immunity.
What flu is expected in 2017-2018?
Experts predict that the following 2017-2018 influenza strains that circulated this summer in the Southern Hemisphere will be active in our country:
- H1N1 - Michigan. This is a new variety of the already known type A, the first outbreaks of which were recorded back in 2009. In January-April 2016, cases of this flu were again detected in Russia. During this period, more than a hundred people died from the disease and its complications. This strain, which affects humans and animals, is characterized by a severe course and rapid genetic change.
- H3N2-. With this subspecies of type A influenza, people “met” back in 1968, when Hong Kong residents began to become massively infected, and a large number of deaths occurred. The reason for the spread of this strain was called migratory birds, as a result of which it began to be called "bird". During the period 2012-2013, due to the mutated virus, the highest death rates were recorded. Last year, this virus also circulated in our country, so part of the population has already developed immunity to it.
- Brisbane. First identified in Australia in 2008, this type B strain is characterized by a low mutation rate and local outbreaks of the disease, therefore it is considered less insidious. At the same time, there is a risk of complications in those infected with Brisbane, and, given the recent appearance, little is known, and this virus poses a danger to the population.
Should I get a flu shot?
Vaccination is the main preventive method in the fight against influenza infection, which involves the annual introduction of vaccines. After receiving the vaccine, the body after a while begins to synthesize protective antibodies against certain strains of influenza, the effect of which lasts about a year. Even if infection occurs after vaccination (after all, vaccination cannot give a 100% guarantee), then the disease proceeds in a mild form.
Despite this, many people do not understand whether they need a flu shot. Since it is not included in the list of mandatory, each person decides for himself whether to be vaccinated or not. Doctors only give recommendations, and, according to most of them, the 2017-2018 flu vaccine is a necessity for all adults and children, starting from the age of six months.
Flu shot 2017-2018 - side effects
As with all vaccines, the 2018 flu shot comes with a risk of adverse reactions, but the chances are very low. The vast majority of people who receive an injection of a quality vaccine in accordance with all the rules tolerate the procedure favorably. In some cases, local reactions may occur: redness, swelling, mild itching and soreness. Less commonly, patients experience a short-term fever, general malaise,. After a couple of days, the listed reactions pass without a trace.
Flu shot 2017-2018 - consequences
In some cases, influenza vaccination is characterized by severe complications - neurological disorders, serious allergic reactions, infectious processes in the area of drug administration, and so on. Often this is due to the mistakes of the medical staff involved in this event, ignoring the restrictions on injection, improper storage and transportation of vaccines.
Flu shot for children - to do or not?
Modern pediatricians and immunologists call for vaccination of children who are already 6 months old. especially necessary for those who visit children's institutions, regularly visit places of high crowding of people (urban transport, clinics, shopping centers) and preschoolers, the risk of developing dangerous complications from influenza infection in which is very high due to imperfect immune protection. Influenza vaccination for children, depending on age, is given twice with an interval of 4 weeks or once.
Flu shot for pregnant women - to do or not?
According to doctors, the 2017-2018 flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women and is indicated at any stage of pregnancy. Numerous studies prove that high-quality anti-influenza drugs are not able to affect the course of pregnancy and fetal development, while maximally protecting the expectant mother and child from the negative consequences that infection entails during this period. The flu vaccine for pregnant women also halves the risk of an infant becoming infected within six months of birth.
Flu shot 2017-2018 - when to do?
Influenza vaccine should be administered before the start of the influenza season, taking into account the period of development of protective antibodies in the body (two to four weeks). It is advisable to start getting vaccinated already in September-October, but it will not be too late to use the 2017-2018 flu vaccine in November-December, because the brightest outbreak of the disease is predicted by experts in the second winter month.
Influenza vaccination - indications and contraindications
Indications for vaccination against influenza infection are wide - vaccinations are recommended for almost all people. In this case, before the procedure, it is necessary to examine the doctor and diagnose the body in order to identify temporary or permanent contraindications. The 2017-2018 flu shot has the following temporary contraindications:
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- acute infectious disease with fever;
- a recent change in climatic conditions (associated with a trip to distant countries).
We list what the flu vaccine has permanent contraindications:
- allergy to the components of the administered agent (preservatives, protein);
- previously identified severe post-vaccination complications.
In addition, it is necessary to refuse vaccination for some other reasons, established by specialists on an individual basis. As for patients who are recommended to be vaccinated against influenza as a priority, they include people whose immunity is weakened:
- elderly people;
- young children;
- patients with chronic ailments (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, blood diseases, immunodeficiency, bronchial asthma).
Plus, it is mandatory to vaccinate persons whose occupation involves constant contact with a large number of people:
- teachers, teachers, educators;
- transport workers;
- physicians;
- students;
- schoolchildren and so on.
Flu vaccine 2017-2018 - which is better?
Every year, the pharmaceutical industry releases more and more new influenza vaccines, tracking the circulation of pathogens among the population and predicting the activity of certain strains in the coming season in one and the second hemispheres. The flu vaccine can be one of four types:
- live preparations containing attenuated viruses (administered intranasally);
- inactivated whole virion vaccines containing whole inactive viruses;
- split split vaccines containing the protein components of viruses;
- subunit vaccines containing two viral surface antigens required for immunity.
Live and whole-virion intranasal sprays used in previous years have shown their inefficiency, which is why they are not used this season. Subunit vaccines prepared in chick embryos or in cell culture are now considered the safest and most effective. These drugs are characterized by a high degree of purification, low reactogenicity.
Influenza vaccine - composition
The live influenza vaccine, which is contraindicated for pregnant women and children under three years of age, is not used this season. The 2017-2018 flu shot is given by one of two types of vaccines:
- trivalent - containing three strains of viruses that will circulate on our territory ("Michigan", "Brisbane", "Hong Kong");
- tetravalent - including in its composition, in addition to these three strains, a dangerous strain of type B - Phuket.
As Vedomosti found out, imported flu vaccines are now unavailable to Russians. A call to private medical companies, conducted by a Vedomosti correspondent, as if on behalf of an interested client, showed that in clinics owned by Medsi and mother and child”, there is only the Grippol Plus vaccine manufactured by Petrovax Pharm (owned by Vladimir Potanin’s Interros), Bud Zdorov has Grippol Plus and Ultrix manufactured by Fort (part of Nacimbio, owned by the state corporation Rostec), while Chaika has only Ultrix.
Suppliers do not have imported vaccines, Alexander Pilipchuk, general director of the Doctor Nearby clinic network, confirms. In 2017, he recalls, Doctor Nearby was vaccinated with foreign vaccines - Vaxigripp by the French Sanofi and Influvak by the Dutch Abbott.
Medsi has Vaxigripp, says Elizaveta Khaimi, head of the pediatrics department at the Krasnaya Presnya Center, they also have Grippol Plus, Ultrix will appear. There is less Vaxigrippa than expected, deliveries to Russia have been reduced, she says, but there is no Influvak and there will not be.
Influvac was the most sought-after vaccine, says Tatyana Tarasenko, head nurse at the Alpha Health Center clinic network, but in 2018 Abbott was unable to import it into Russia. And Sanofi, she believes, did not meet the additional demand for Vaxigripp, which arose due to the lack of Influvac, and supplied the same number of vaccines as in 2017.
A Sanofi spokesperson confirmed that the same amount of Vaxigrippa was supplied in 2018 as in 2017, and the vaccine is available from distributors. This year's Vaxigripp passed certification only last week, a person familiar with the certification process explains its absence: the vaccine could not have had time to get to pharmacies and clinics.
In 2018, there will be no supplies of Influvac - production in the Netherlands is fully loaded, it will not be possible to quickly ensure additional production, an Abbott representative said and promised that supplies would resume in the next epidemiological season.
Every country submits applications for vaccines every year, but the production capacity is not enough to meet all the demand, notes a person close to Abbott, this year the company decided not to satisfy Russia's application even partially.
This is probably due to the low solvency of the population, says Nikolai Demidov, general director of the Russian representative office of the IQVIA analytical agency. Influvac is mainly used in the commercial sector, he explains: the state is actively promoting domestic vaccines, and due to the low exchange rate of the ruble, the cost of imported vaccines is growing and may be completely uncompetitive compared to Russian ones - and we must not forget that most of the vaccinations are free . Perhaps the company decided to minimize the risks and redistribute vaccines to other European markets, suggests Demidov.
The Ministry of Health does not centrally purchase imported vaccines. According to SPARK-Marketing, in the first half of 2018, Influvac was purchased by individual state clinics and hospitals. Among these medical institutions, according to the public procurement website, are the medical and sanitary unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Primorsky Territory, the Samara Regional Clinical Hospital. V. D. Seredavina and others. There are six such contracts in total, their total cost exceeds 400,000 rubles.
In 2017, Petrovax supplied 1.6 million doses of Grippol Plus, in 2018 it intends to supply 10% more - until all auctions are completed, its representative said and indicated that Petrovax's production facilities allow the production of 40 million doses per year.
Pharmacy chains also did not have imported flu vaccines. There are no vaccines on the websites of A-Mega, Rigla, and Gorzdrav; Pharmacy Chain 36.6 has only Grippol Plus; Asna has Grippol Plus and Ultrix. The representative of Erkafarm confirmed that there are no imported vaccines, only Russian ones are available.
This is how the state popularizes domestic vaccines, top managers of a pharmacy chain, a clinic and a vaccine manufacturer told Vedomosti. According to the last of them, the state cannot completely oust imported vaccines from the market, since there may be a shortage of them and demand will have to be met with the help of all companies, including foreign ones.
The Ministry of Health provides only domestic vaccines free of charge, while the supply of medicines is the responsibility of manufacturers, says a representative of the ministry: they are independent legal entities and do not provide information about their commercial activities. In 2018, the Ministry of Health purchased 62.2 million doses of influenza vaccine for 7.5 billion rubles. (Sovigripp, which is produced by Microgen, owned by Rostec, and Ultrix), and in 2017 - 58.4 million doses for 4.9 billion rubles, a representative of Nacimbio said. This is due to the increase in vaccination, he explains: in 2017, more than 40% of the population got a flu shot, this year there will be more. Russian vaccines are no worse than imported ones, but cheaper, a Nacimbio representative is sure.
According to WHO, the influenza virus is constantly mutating, so a series of tests are regularly conducted to identify a new strain and find effective drugs to treat the disease. The 2016/2017 influenza season is expected to begin in late January, but a jump in incidence is likely in late November - early December.
What flu is expected in 2016/2017
Epidemiologists believe that previously identified strains of the pathogen will continue to spread this year:
A/ California/7/2009(H1N1) is a subtype of swine flu that was first discovered in 2009. The disease is dangerous with severe complications, which sometimes lead to the death of the patient. The virus provokes the development of sinusitis, bilateral pneumonia, meningitis.
A / Hong Kong / 2014 (H3N2) - a subtype of influenza strain A. The virus variant will come from Hong Kong to the countries of the Northern Hemisphere at the end of 2016. Earlier in Russia, the spread of this subtype did not lead to the emergence of epidemics, although epidemiologists first encountered it in 2015. The danger of the H3N2 flu lies in the pathological effect on the heart and blood vessels.
Yamagata virus is a subtype of strain B. It is difficult to diagnose the disease due to a blurred symptomatic picture. WHO researchers do not classify this strain as life-threatening, since it rarely causes serious complications (only during exacerbation of chronic lung pathologies).
According to the forecasts of the Federal State Budgetary Institution Research Institute of Influenza MZORF, this season the disease is spreading at a moderate pace. Almost 40% of residents who are at risk are recommended to be vaccinated against influenza 2016/2017. Immunization must be completed by November 1, 2016, before the start of the expected epidemic.
Influenza vaccination
Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself. This procedure is a vaccination during which the nurse injects the drug intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Vaccination is included in the list of vaccinations recommended by the national immunization calendar.
State polyclinic institutions are provided with free Russian-made vaccines "Grippol". When to get vaccinated against influenza 2016/2017, the local therapist will tell you after a preliminary examination. Influenza vaccines can be bought at a pharmacy, but in this case, you should pay attention to the storage conditions of the drug (storage temperature 2-8 degrees).
The antiviral vaccine is a weakened strain of the virus and a solvent (water for injection). Sometimes the composition includes azoximer bromide, which exhibits an immunostimulating effect.
The 2016/2017 flu vaccines have the following trade names:
Influvac (Abbott Biologicals B.V., the Netherlands, the average cost of the vaccine is 2000 rubles);
Vaxigripp (Sanofi Pasteur S.A., France, cost - 600 rubles);
Inflexal V (Berna Biotech Ltd., Switzerland, cost - 450 rubles);
Fluarix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals S.A., Belgium, cost - 560 rubles).
The drugs act the same way and are approved for use in children older than 6 months. Even if the vaccination is done on time, this does not mean that the person being vaccinated will not get sick at all. Influenza in such people occurs in a mild form, without complications. The 2016/2017 flu vaccine is recommended for children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
In some regions of the country, an anti-influenza vaccination campaign started on August 1. Therefore, those who wish can contact the clinic at the place of residence for vaccination. 2-3 months before the expected epidemic, the body will have time to develop strong immunity.
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Flu vaccines 2015 2016 titles
Flu shot 2015-2016
Every year, during the period of cooling and increasing humidity, the risk of contracting an acute respiratory viral disease and its epidemic spread increases. An effective measure for the prevention of pathology is vaccination. Moreover, the composition of the drug for this procedure changes every year in accordance with the forecasts of the World Health Organization (WHO). The recommended flu shot 2015-2016 should be 3- or 4-valent - include 3, 4 live, but attenuated strains of the virus, respectively.
The name of the influenza vaccination of the epidemiological season 2015-2016
Grippol was chosen for routine vaccination of adults this year. It is a mixture of inactivated virus strains.
This remedy contributes to the formation of immunity to influenza within 8-12 days. Acquired resistance persists for a long time, up to 12 months.
There are other names of influenza vaccines:
If desired, you can choose the drug yourself, after discussing your decision with the local therapist.
What strains will be included in the 2015-2016 flu shot?
According to WHO forecasts, 3 types of viruses will be spread in the upcoming epidemiological season, the strains of which should be included in influenza vaccines:
If it is planned to administer a quaternary preparation, influenza type B, similar to the Brisbane/60/2008 virus, is additionally included.
Indications for the flu shot 2015-2016 and contraindications to it
Vaccination is a voluntary event, but it is highly recommended if you belong to one of the following groups:
Contraindications to the introduction of anti-influenza drugs are:
Consequences and side effects of the flu shot 2015-2016
Soon after vaccination, usually in the first 1-3 days, post-vaccination reactions often develop:
All of these problems are completely normal, usually mild, and go away on their own. If hyperthermia is severe, it is recommended to take any antipyretic. It is possible to eliminate discomfort at the injection site with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
It is important to note that the flu shot in 2015-2016 does not exclude the intake of alcohol and low-alcohol drinks. However, after vaccination, of course, you need to follow the measure, since any alcohol significantly weakens the immune system.
Influenza vaccine: which is better to choose and when?
The flu vaccine protects a person from the severe consequences of influenza and reduces the risk of falling ill with it by almost 2 times. Thanks to the vaccine, the disease is much easier to tolerate even if a person does get the flu, and the severity of symptoms is also significantly reduced. Not to mention lethal outcomes, which become almost 2 times less after mass vaccinations. Which flu vaccine works best and when should it be given?
Why is the flu vaccine needed?
Scientific experiments that have been conducted over the past few years have shown that thanks to vaccines, the course of influenza is much easier or does not manifest itself at all. In addition, studies have shown that vaccines are quite easily tolerated by humans, they stimulate the human immune system well, and also reduce the risk of epidemics.
These drugs meet all the requirements of pharmacological international organizations that control the production of vaccines. The level of protection of these vaccines is very high - more than 70%. This is a very effective level of protection against the flu. It avoids influenza complications, deaths and epidemics.
Science has proven that vaccination in groups of only 20% of employees significantly reduces the risk of epidemics and the number of diseases. This applies to influenza and acute respiratory infections.
Vaccines that fight the flu are called trivaccines by the medical term. This name was given to vaccines because they contain antigens against the three most popular and dangerous influenza viruses: A, B, C.
Who needs to be vaccinated?
First of all, vaccination is given to those people who are at risk of catching the flu (but only on the condition that they agree, and this consent must be in writing).
How is the flu vaccination given?
The vaccine is usually injected into the shoulder, in the area of the deltoid muscle (this is the upper third of the shoulder muscle). After the vaccine, you can not wet the injection site during the day, as an inflammatory reaction of the skin may occur. Also, if you are told not to drink alcohol after the vaccine, be aware that this information is incorrect.
The vaccine can also be administered through the nose by instillation (children are told that these are “droplets”). In this case, the body's response to viruses and bacteria is weaker than when injected, which explains the unpopularity of this method of vaccination in our time.
If the vaccine is given to children who have never received it before, and who have not yet had the flu, the vaccine should be given not 1, but 2 times. Between the introduction of the vaccine should take 30-35 days. But the dose of the vaccine should be less than for an adult - exactly half.
When to get the flu vaccination?
Usually, the flu vaccination is done during October-November, about a month before the peak of the flu. During the time that people begin to get sick en masse with the flu, the vaccinated develop a stable immunity to the viruses that cause the flu.
The average time for the formation of stable immunity to influenza in humans is from 10 days to two weeks from the moment the vaccine enters the human body. Before October, doctors believe, there is no point in making a vaccine, because the effect of the drug gradually subsides, and by the beginning of the peak of the flu, the body may again be weakened.
What are the types of flu vaccines?
There are two types of vaccines: live (with live viruses that are already attenuated and adapted to the human body) and inactivated (which do not contain live viruses).
What is the most effective flu vaccine?
Doctors recommend choosing inactivated vaccines in most cases (for example, influvac). These vaccines do not contain live viruses and are therefore easier to tolerate than those with live viruses. Non-live vaccines contain either particles of already destroyed viruses or surface antigens of the influenza virus.
The safety of these vaccines is combined with a very good immune support of the body. After the introduction of these vaccines, a person will no longer get the flu, unless some new unrecognized virus appears.
If a person hesitates about which vaccine to choose - domestic or imported, qualified doctors usually recommend imported ones. They have more degrees of purification and the degree of purification is step-by-step, multi-stage. In addition, laboratory specialists carefully control all processes at any stage of vaccine production. Therefore, adverse reactions to these vaccines are minimal - allergies do not occur even in children who are not yet a year old, as well as in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
The flu vaccine can save you a lot of trouble and save you a lot of work hours. Therefore, do not refuse it if you care about your health.
Influenza vaccine contraindications
Since the flu vaccine may use chicken protein (most commonly) or preservatives, it should not be administered to people who are allergic to these substances.
- The vaccine is contraindicated in chronic diseases in the acute stage - then you need to wait another month after the person recovers and receives permission for vaccination from a doctor.
- The vaccine should not be given to those who previously received the vaccine, but it was very difficult to tolerate it.
- People who have had a cold or flu less than two weeks ago should not be vaccinated.
What are the complications after the flu vaccination?
They are divided into two groups - systemic complications and local ones.
Systemic complications after vaccination are an allergic reaction of the whole organism, for example, headaches, breath holding, heart rhythm disturbances, fever, blood pressure surges, muscle and joint pain, meningitis, and so on.
Local complications after a vaccine are the response of one system of the body, and not the whole body. This could be a sore throat or headache, or redness of the skin where the vaccine was given, or a runny nose.
In case of complications after the vaccine, you should definitely tell your doctor about it so that he can advise on what measures to take.
Do I have to pay for the flu vaccine?
For those people who are listed in the list of clients required for vaccination, the vaccine is administered free of charge - at the expense of the state flu control program. If there is not enough vaccine or a person is not sure of its quality, he can purchase it in those places that he trusts (mainly state clinics or centers attached to them). The patient has the right to pay for the vaccine and services for its administration on the spot.
But if the flu vaccine was purchased in one place and administered in another, keep in mind that the doctor has the right to refuse to administer it. Reason - the doctor cannot guarantee the result of the introduction of a drug of unknown origin, as well as with unknown conditions of storage and transportation. Also, the doctor cannot predict the allergic reactions of the body to this drug.
You do not need to pay for vaccination if the company where the person works paid for it. This often happens when the management of the company is worried about the health of the entire team and orders mass vaccination. In this case, a commercial contract is concluded with the clinic where the vaccination is carried out, and the employee of the company is obliged to comply with its conditions. He can not come to the vaccination. Is that only he has contraindications to the introduction of the vaccine.
Which is more effective: "Vaxigripp" or "Influvac"? What is the best flu vaccine?
Are you afraid of getting the flu? Then you should consider getting vaccinated. Thanks to this event, a person will maintain his health, not get sick with the flu or get sick, but in a mild form. Immunization is the right thing to do, especially when it comes to our kids. Therefore, today we will consider what the Influvac flu vaccine is, as well as Vaxigripp. These are common drugs used in Russia and Ukraine. They can prevent influenza infection. Below we consider the composition of both vaccines, their dosages. We also determine which of them will be better than the other.
Composition, form of release of the vaccine "Influvac"
This drug is sold as a suspension, which is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The vaccine "Influvac" is sold in syringes, which should be disposed of after the injection. Needles are also included with the preparation.
The composition of this vaccine is as follows:
- Hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of viral strains of types: A (H3N2), A (H1N1), B.
- Auxiliary elements: sodium phosphate dihydrate, potassium, calcium and magnesium chloride, hydrogen phosphate, water for injection.
Dosage of the vaccine "Influvac"
- Adults, as well as children from 3 to 14 years old - 0.5 ml once.
- Babies from 6 months to 3 years - 0.25 ml once.
For children who have never been vaccinated before, it is advisable to administer the drug twice with an interval of 4 weeks.
Immunization should be carried out once a year in the fall.
Side effects after vaccination with Influvac
The use of this remedy may cause the following unwanted reactions:
- From the side of the central nervous system: often - headache; rarely - neuritis, convulsions, neuralgia, encephalomyelitis, paresthesia.
- From the side of the heart and blood vessels: rarely - vasculitis (immunopathological inflammation of the vessels).
- From the musculoskeletal system: often - arthralgia (joint pain), myalgia (pain in the muscles).
- General disorders: often - fatigue, fever, muscle and joint pain, malaise, trembling, chills.
- Other manifestations: often - severe sweating; rarely - skin manifestations (itching, urticaria, nonspecific rash).
- Local reactions: swelling, induration, soreness, redness.
Composition, form of release of the vaccine "Vaxigripp"
This drug is also a suspension for injection under the skin or intramuscularly.
The Vaxigripp vaccine is available in syringes or ampoules.
The composition of the drug is as follows:
- Active elements - hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of such virus strains as A (H3N2), A (H1N1), B.
- Auxiliary components - sodium, as well as potassium chloride and dihydrophosphate, hydrophosphate dihydrate, water for injection.
Rules for immunization and dosage of the drug "Vaxigripp"
This flu vaccine can be given:
- Subcutaneously in the upper part of the front side of the shoulder.
- Intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle.
- For small children - in the anterolateral region of the thigh.
The dosage of the drug is as follows:
- Adults and children from 3 years - 0.5 ml once.
- Babies from six months to 3 years - 0.25 ml of the drug.
- People who have not been vaccinated before, as well as those who have not had the flu at all, should be given this vaccine 2 times with an interval of 4 weeks. That is, one dose should be divided equally.
- Patients with immunodeficiency should also be administered the drug twice - 0.25 ml with an interval of 1 month.
Side effects after vaccination with the drug "Vaxigripp"
This remedy also has negative effects. How to understand which vaccine - "Vaxigripp" or "Influvac" - is better? To do this, you can see a list of side effects of each drug. So, for the "Vaxigripp" tool, it is like this:
- Often - headache, malaise, sweating, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, neuralgia.
- Rarely - convulsions, paresthesia, neuritis, encephalomyelitis.
- Very rarely - allergic manifestations on the body, vasculitis.
- Local reactions - compaction, soreness, swelling at the injection site.
The drug "Vaxigripp", the price of which varies in different pharmacies, can be purchased on average for 400 rubles. A person will have to pay such an amount for 1 dose of this remedy. I wonder how much then the drug "Influvac" costs? The price of this drug ranges from 520-570 rubles.
To date, both vaccines are considered the most common flu vaccines for children and adults. Both drugs give the same result. However, parents do not stop terrorizing pharmacists and family doctors to advise which of the two vaccines - Vaxigripp or Influvac - will be better. The fact is that both drugs are almost indistinguishable from each other. Indications for use, form of release and even their composition is similar. But here in such a point as side effects, there is a difference. So, the Influvac remedy has a much larger list of possible negative manifestations, while the Vaxigripp drug has a much shorter list. If we consider the cost of these vaccines, then there is also something to cling to. The drug "Influvac" is somewhat more expensive than its competitor. Therefore, if you choose from these two criteria, then you should make a choice in favor of the Vaxigripp tool. The price is lower, and there are fewer side effects. But it's still better to find out what people think about these two vaccines, and based on their responses, decide for yourself what to choose.
The drug "Influvac": reviews
Internet users write mostly only positive opinions about this tool. So, those patients who were vaccinated with this drug note that the injection itself is painless, because the needle in the syringe is very thin. It is also rare that anyone notes that after vaccination with this remedy, problems arose. People, on the contrary, praise the Influvac drug for the fact that it almost never causes unwanted reactions in the body. Also, women and men choose this particular vaccine, because it is imported, which means that it is better purified than domestic. In addition, the composition of the drug is improved every year, because new strains of influenza appear, so the developed immunity may not work.
There are, however, negative responses from people. The first thing parents pay attention to is that Influvac is sold in a standard dosage. That is, it turns out that syringes are the same for both adults and children. This is very inconvenient, because if you make a vaccine for children, then the excess amount of the drug must be drained. It turns out that it is inefficiently spent. There are also people who note that after vaccination with Influvac, their health has deteriorated greatly. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to inject only when the person is completely healthy. That is, he should not have any colds. And if a person listens to the doctor and follows all his recommendations regarding vaccination, then the Influvac drug will receive only positive reviews. As for the cost of this tool, people note that its price is quite adequate, and it suits many.
The drug "Vaxigripp": reviews
This vaccine has positive feedback from patients. Some get an injection with this drug for free, others buy it at their own expense. However, both those and others note the effectiveness of this vaccine: during the year, people do not get the flu. True, there are exceptions when a person nevertheless catches this virus, but the disease proceeds much easier. Also, people note that although the drug "Vaxigripp" is not the best of the existing ones, it is affordable. And this is an important factor. After all, often all family members have to be vaccinated, and this can hit the family budget hard. Therefore, people choose a cheaper remedy - Vaxigripp. Positive reviews are also written by parents who are satisfied that the drug is sold separately for children, that is, in special 0.25 mg syringes. And no need to pour out excess liquid, because the dosage is accurate.
And what do immunologists and pediatricians say about these vaccines? Which is better: Vaxigripp or Influvac? Doctors in this regard are unanimous. They believe that these drugs are approximately the same in their properties and effect. They do not single out any of them specifically. And the fact that the supposedly Influvac remedy is purer, this, according to doctors, is an insignificant sign that does not affect the production of immunity, as well as its perception by the body. Therefore, if at work they offer to carry out free vaccination, for example, with Vaxigripp, then it is advisable to agree. Since it is stupid to look for the Influvac drug in pharmacies, because these vaccines will be the same in terms of effectiveness. Well, if you do not have such an advantage, then indeed, you can purchase any of these two funds yourself. The main thing is to pay attention to the expiration date of the drug, as well as follow all recommendations for proper storage and transportation.
Now you know which of the two means - "Vaxigripp" or "Influvac" - is better. And they realized that in fact there is no difference in them. The nuance is that the first remedy can be sold in a special small dosage (for children). While part of the drug "Influvac" will have to be poured out, since the children need to inject only 0.25 mg, and 0.5 mg is in the syringe. Also, another point is that the Vaxigripp suspension is a little cheaper. Well, doctors do not allocate these funds, believing that they are approximately the same in terms of effectiveness.
"Grippol" (vaccine): reviews. What is the best flu vaccine
With the onset of cold weather, we begin to observe whole influenza epidemics. Every year a new strain of this disease dominates, so it is not so easy to protect yourself from it. The treatment of influenza is always fraught with large financial costs, since you have to buy powerful expensive drugs, which, unfortunately, in many cases do not help.
Influenza is a complex viral infection that can mutate and cause severe complications, which affects the decrease in immunity and can provoke the development of all kinds of inflammatory processes. In practice, over the past ten years, there have been many deaths, regardless of the age of the patient. Therefore, the problem of influenza prevention is of great concern to both ordinary people and physicians. What measures should be taken to protect yourself and your family from another general epidemic and survive the winter calmly, without worrying about every cough or runny nose?
What is modern influenza prevention?
For the past five years, doctors have been focusing on the mandatory vaccination of people of different ages. A flu shot is a targeted introduction of a weakened virus into the human body in order to develop a physiological protection against new microorganisms. The reaction is different. Many vaccines may not be suitable for people due to their basis. For example, many people experience an allergic reaction to chicken protein, which is found in most types of flu vaccines.
Should I get vaccinated against the flu or not?
Despite the possible side effects, every year there are more people who want to be vaccinated. They do not want to risk their health and the health of their loved ones and are of the opinion that the side effect of the injection is much safer than the disease itself.
The flu shot today is optional. When it comes to children, the decision to vaccinate always depends primarily on the parents. Informed father and mother themselves decide today whether it is advisable for a child to give an injection or not. Since the quality of the vaccine today often leaves much to be desired, many are afraid of the process of vaccinating babies. But, following the advice of doctors, nevertheless, most of the parents agree to vaccinations for their children.
First of all, to protect your body from a viral infection - influenza, they advise older people whose age has crossed the limit of sixty years, children under three years old, pregnant women in the first trimester, people with immune deficiency, people whose professional activities involve communicating with infected patients – pharmacy workers, doctors and medical staff of hospitals, as well as military personnel.
What is the best flu vaccine? There is no single answer to this question, since each drug is designed to prevent a specific strain. Manufacturers try to predict future epidemics, but this is not always possible. Therefore, vaccinated people can get sick with the flu if they catch the infection in an “updated” form.
Since various viral types of a life-threatening disease dominate today, it is definitely necessary to be vaccinated against them. If influenza prevention is not carried out, then humanity will give this mutating disease a chance to develop with greater force and the effect of the plague of the twenty-first century may turn out.
Timing of vaccinations
Vaccinations begin to be given to both adults and children in the period from October to December, that is, immediately with the onset of cold weather. After all, frequent colds are associated precisely with temperature changes, when warm days end, and they are replaced by cloudy, wet or frosty weather.
Influenza is an infection that does not bypass either those who harden and go in for sports, or those who do not think about their health at all. It is transmitted by airborne droplets and it is impossible to be one hundred percent insured that tomorrow your temperature will not rise sharply or drip from your nose. And to minimize the risks of developing the disease, the population is vaccinated.
How safe are flu shots with modern drugs?
As noted above, there is no answer to the question of which flu vaccine is better and safer. The quality of vaccination of people depends on the state of their health at the time of the introduction of a certain serum, on the doctor's awareness of the patient's ailments, possible allergic reactions.
In medical practice, there have been cases when a certain batch of produced influenza vaccine caused universal side effects and was urgently withdrawn from circulation.
So, while the production of vaccines is still imperfect, it is impossible to say unequivocally right away whether it is safe to be vaccinated or not. But by virtue of common sense, many do this and observe positive trends in increasing the resistance of their body to various strains of influenza. After all, high mortality is observed not from the virus itself, but from the complications that it causes.
At what age is the flu vaccine given?
Vaccination can be performed as early as six months of age. The procedure is carried out annually several times. It all depends on which vaccine is administered to an adult or a child.
What flu vaccines are currently being used?
Currently, physicians use liquids of various effects in their practice to vaccinate people. They can be given as drops through the nose or injected into the forearm or thigh.
Among those frequently used are the so-called live vaccines and their inactivated forms. The first type contains weakened and non-infectious viruses. The second does not contain live viruses.
Inactivated vaccines, in turn, are divided into whole-cell containing influenza virus cells, split - dissolved virus cells, and subunit vaccines containing surface proteins.
Today there is a practice of using subunit solutions in medicine for inoculation of adults and children. One of these is the well-known "Grippol" - a vaccine, reviews of which are mostly positive. This group also includes the Influvac and Agrippal vaccines tested on adults and children.
What is the flu vaccine "Grippol"?
It is by far one of the most effective injectable formulations against the influenza virus. It is able to form specific immunity against it in the body of an adult and a child, reduce the risk of colds and increase resistance to other respiratory viral infections.
A lot of questions are raised by parents of young children "Grippol" - a vaccine, reviews of which are not as unambiguous as many would like. It is natural that the reaction of each individual organism to the vaccine is individual. But if we observe the overall effect, then one conclusion suggests itself: this is the most common vaccine that many people are vaccinated with, and a stable result of its effect on immunity, strengthening it against influenza, has been proven.
There are cases when Grippol is negatively characterized. The vaccine (reviews of some patients claim that this is exactly the case) is simply not effective. This is a completely understandable situation. A vaccinated person could have been ill with a different type of flu. The Grippol vaccine (the instructions indicate this) is aimed at developing immunity against strains of influenza viruses type A (H1N1 and H3N2) and B, which were observed in an epidemiological influx at the beginning of the 2000s, and today have reduced their activity. But this does not mean that they are not modified into more complex forms.
"Grippol" is prescribed for children and adults in certain doses indicated in the instructions, which are clearly followed by doctors.
The list of contraindications to vaccination with this drug includes cases of fever, acute infectious diseases, chronic ailments in the acute stage, and allergic reactions to early vaccinations with this vaccine.
The "Grippol" vaccine is given to children for the first time in the thigh at the age of six months.
Today, this is not the only effective Russian-made anti-flu injection used by doctors.
Vaccine for children "Grippol plus"
For influenza vaccination of small children, parents choose this drug to a greater extent.
Doctors also advise the drug "Grippol Plus" for children. Feedback on this vaccine is positive. It does not contain preservatives in its composition, causes fewer allergic reactions. This is an improved version of the Grippol vaccine sample.
Where is vaccination carried out?
Vaccine injections are made in specialized clinics. Vaccination of children is carried out according to a certain schedule. But the state of health at the time of the injection is an important factor determining the further actions of the medical staff.
According to the latest information from the World Health Organization, the 2018 influenza is three strains, which include influenza A (H3N2-Hong Kong), influenza B (Brisbane) and influenza H1N1 (Michigan). Nacimbio, an organization that supplies vaccination drugs to Russia, is already donating virus strains for the drug development process.
The antigens of these pathogens are already actively used in the composition of preparations for the vaccination of Russians. Specialists are currently vaccinating the population and warn that people with weakened immunity, pregnant women, children, elderly patients and patients with metabolic disorders in the body are at risk.
Particular attention should be paid to the Michigan A virus, as it is considered the most recent and active at present. Cases of infection have already been recorded on the territory of Russia and Ukraine.
Doctors promise that the changed composition of the drugs will help fight a new type of flu and protect most of the population from infection and spread. The virus is expected to be observed during all cold seasons of 2018.
What flu is expected?
As you know, in 2016, more than a hundred patients in Russia died from the flu virus. Answering the question of what kind of flu will be in 2018, doctors agree that Michigan, which is a variation of the California strain, also known as swine flu, will become especially common and dangerous. The season of large-scale epidemics falls at the end of 2017, the virus will become especially active in the early winter months of 2018.
For the first time, this type of virus was discovered at the beginning of the winter of 2016, while it is a type of swine flu 2009, but it is characterized by rapid development with an estimated incubation period of 1-3 days. Experts believe that the Michigan virus is associated with excessively warm climatic conditions. Experts do not know how this variant of the strain will manifest itself in 2018.
They urge all patients to think seriously about vaccination, especially since this type of virus is highly infectious. According to experts, it is enough to spend one hour in the same room with an infected person to also get the flu. Already in September 2017, vaccination stations were opened.
Supposed features of the manifestation of the strain
The Michigan virus is still among the little-studied, however, experts put forward a list of alleged features of the manifestation that can be prescribed to it:
- deterioration in general well-being accompanied by weakness, severe fatigue;
- cough, sore throat;
- chest pain with frequent intense coughing;
- a strong feeling of dryness in the mouth;
- Strong headache;
- difficulty in swallowing;
- temperature rise In a few hours;
- fever, fever, chills;
- airborne transmission of the influenza virus.
Experts suggest that since the Michigan virus is a type of swine flu, it is most likely that it usually does not have such a symptom as a runny nose. In this case, there is a possibility of developing some dyspeptic disorders: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Among the possible complications of the 2018 flu, there is a high risk of pneumonia and serous meningitis.
The Michigan virus is dangerous because it can develop much faster than the 2009 swine flu. In order to establish a definitive diagnosis for suspected influenza, it is recommended to pass a sputum culture and PCR analysis for the detection of RNA.
The incubation period can be from 1 to 5 days. The virus multiplies quickly enough and provokes the death of epithelial cells. The most dangerous type of complication is death. Doctors warn of the need for preventive measures now.
2018 flu prevention options
While the exact symptoms of the Michigan virus have not been established, nevertheless, doctors believe that preventive measures will be the same for all types of influenza:
- needs to be vaccinated;
- wash your hands regularly with antibacterial soap;
- avoid contact with an infected person (he must be completely isolated);
- avoid hypothermia;
- strengthen the immune system with vitamins and special preparations;
- take antiviral drugs.
When and where to get vaccinated?
The 2017-2018 influenza vaccine will be available starting in September at the following facilities:
- polyclinics(after contacting a therapist);
- hospitals;
- schools;
- at metro stations(on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Vaccination of the population is also carried out in the MFC of the district. According to Ministry of Health officials, vaccination will be mandatory during the epidemic season.
Influenza causes epidemics almost every year during the cold season. You can protect yourself from the disease with immunization with influenza vaccine domestic production or imported. Which flu vaccine is best for children, adults and pregnant women is a concern for many.
Production of influenza vaccines
Another feature of the flu is that the virus is subject to mutations, and every year an epidemic is caused by a new strain of the virus, to which there is no immunity. Two specific proteins - neuraminidase (denoted by the English letter N) and hemagglutinin (denoted by the English letter H) - form many variants of serotypes.
A network of special WHO centers scrupulously study the migration of influenza viruses and predict which strains of it can cause an epidemic in a particular region in any given year. These forecasts are sent to vaccine manufacturers, who only then begin to manufacture them.
But the definition of the viral spectrum of the upcoming influenza epidemic based on WHO experts' forecasts may not coincide with the real spectrum of the viruses that caused the epidemic. In this case, the vaccination received will not protect against the disease, however, the disease can be easier due to the strengthening of the nonspecific immunity of the vaccinated organism.
Due to the variability of the influenza virus next year, this vaccine will no longer be needed, since post-vaccination immunity is type-specific, it will be necessary to administer the vaccine with other influenza virus antigens. In addition, immunity after a flu shot is short-lived: vaccinations must be done annually. So should you get vaccinated and when is the best time to get a flu shot?
Influenza viruses are grown on chicken embryo cells, so people with intolerance to chicken eggs cannot be vaccinated. True, Novartis has begun to produce drugs that do not contain chicken protein, which will help reduce side effects when using them. But Russian manufacturers are still producing vaccines using chicken eggs.
In the United States, a study was conducted on the effectiveness of influenza vaccination, the result of which showed that it does not significantly affect the frequency of influenza infection or the duration of the disease. At the same time, it is indicated that a large number of trials with positive results are sponsored by the vaccine companies themselves and concern only vaccines of their own production. This may indirectly indicate the unreliability of the results.
In addition, all the results of such tests indicate the safety of the use of vaccines. and tests of the effectiveness of vaccination are not found either in relation to Russian-made drugs or foreign ones. This may either mean that they were not carried out, or that the results may stun the population and prove the inadvisability of such vaccination.
From the reviews, you can find out that the flu-like condition after receiving the vaccine sometimes does not differ in the severity of symptoms from the usual flu. There are also many reports of subsequent illness during the rise in incidence despite vaccination.
Even among specialists, there is a continuing discussion about the advisability of conducting mass anti-influenza vaccinations. Vaccination advocates point to economic benefits: the development, production, procurement and administration of vaccination costs less than the losses associated with the epidemic. Opponents argue their point of view by the number of post-vaccination complications and believe that mass vaccination cannot be carried out.
Indications and contraindications for vaccination
Immunization against influenza is included in the vaccination calendar in the Russian Federation, but it is not mandatory. Influenza vaccination can be given to people of any age, including babies after 6 months.
The risk group for which vaccinations are indicated (with the consent of citizens) includes:
- citizens over 60;
- patients with chronic bronchopulmonary and cardiovascular pathology;
- persons with severe chronic diseases (renal pathology, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, including cirrhosis, etc.);
- adults and children with immunosuppression of various origins (with HIV infection, after chemotherapy, radiation therapy);
- medical workers;
- persons from closed groups (nursing homes, prisons, hostels);
- employees of the education system;
- women after the 1st trimester of pregnancy (a debatable issue, given the potential risk of complications after vaccination).
Individuals at risk are vaccinated free of charge. The rest of the citizens must pay for the drug themselves (at the pharmacy or on the spot). But you need to remember about the correct transportation of the vaccine in compliance with the temperature regime. The doctor has the right to refuse to administer a remedy purchased by the patient himself, if there is no certainty that these conditions are met, which can cause severe adverse reactions, even death.
Contraindications:
- intolerance to vaccine components (preservatives, chicken protein);
- age up to 6 months;
- acute infections and exacerbations of chronic pathology (vaccinated 1 month after recovery);
- post-vaccination complications after a previous vaccination.
Overview of influenza vaccines
Influenza vaccines are divided into:
- live(made from significantly weakened, but live influenza viruses): Influenza vaccine live dry ("Microgen", Russia).
- Inactivated(from killed influenza viruses):
- whole virion(from whole virus virions);
- split or split vaccines(from destroyed viruses), containing all proteins of viruses - internal and surface, but no lipids of the virus and chicken protein: Begrivak (Germany), Ultrix (Russia), Vaxigrip (France), Fluarix (Belgium);
- subunit vaccines(consist of only 2, the most important for immunization, surface viral proteins - neuraminidase and hemagglutinin): Grippol, Influvac, Agrippal.
Each vaccine contains certain strains of types A and B viruses. Live influenza vaccine and whole cell inactivated agents are the most reactogenic, that is, they can cause side effects and complications, especially in childhood. Although they are the best for building immunity. What is the best vaccine to get?
The pharmacy network of the Russian Federation offers the following vaccines:
| Name of the vaccine | Manufacturer | Average price (in rubles) in Russia |
| Dry live | Russia. LLC "Microgen" | 70-150 |
| inactivated liquid | Russia. LLC "Microgen" | 70-150 |
| Grippol Plus | Russia, OJSC "Petrovax Pharm", | 190-250 |
| Grippol | Russia. LLC "Microgen" | 170-200 |
| Fluarix | Belgium, farm. GlaxoSmithKline, | 350-550 |
| Influvac | The Netherlands, Abbot Products LLC | 270-320 |
| Waxigrip | France, Sanofi Pasteur LLC | 570-650 |
| Agrippal | Italy, farm. Novartis company | 300-310 |
Well-purified subunit and split vaccines give much less side effects and complications, and at the same time cause the formation of a sufficient level of immunity. They are the benchmark for influenza vaccines.
domestic flu vaccine Grippol Plus vaccinate children for free in the Russian Federation, as one of the best (without a preservative). There will be no complications after influenza vaccination Grippol Plus, since it is also an inactivated subunit. Free vaccinations for adults in the Russian Federation are carried out with a domestic flu vaccine Sovigripp.
In the Russian split flu vaccine Ultrix(produced by the biopharmaceutical company Fort) contains merthiolate, a preservative that allows the vaccine to be used for a longer time. The drug is intended for vaccinations for adults and children from 6 years of age. The vaccine also protects against swine flu.
Many prefer to be vaccinated with an imported vaccine, as it is more purified. In this case, the split French vaccine Vaxigrip or the Italian-made subunit vaccine Influvac will do. Citizens will pay for the drug themselves.
What is the best flu shot? Influvac or Vaxigrip- the opinion of specialists (immunologists and pediatricians) agreed: in terms of effectiveness and properties, both drugs are almost the same. When comparing instructions, the list of side effects in Influvak is somewhat larger. And one more nuance: Vaxigrip is available for children in a small (0.25 ml) dosage, and Influvac for everyone in the same packaging - (0.5 ml), so when vaccinating children, the unused part of the drug is poured out. And the cost of Vaxigrip is less.
Everyone decides for himself whether to get vaccinated against the flu or not.. Apparently, the risk factor for getting sick should be of decisive importance. If it is high, and there are still background diseases, then it is better to get vaccinated. The best time for this is October-November. Which drug is better to choose for yourself and children - also each person has the right to decide for himself.
