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A Shot in the Arm for Kids Health!
HEALTH experts are calling for more parents to have their children vaccinated against influenza this autumn. They cite increasing evidence that children are among the main carriers of the disease in the community, and can be some of the hardest hit by the bug.
Children under five are being hospitalised for severe influenza at the same rate as the over-65 age group, according to research. In the 0-4 age group, it leads to almost as many hospitalisations as meningococcal, pneumococcal and chickenpox combined.
"Children are one of the main spreaders of influenza, particularly within households," said Professor Robert Booy, of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance in Sydney.
"Vaccination is not only important to protect the health of the child, but also because of the key role they play in transmission, particularly if they are in contact with at-risk people or older adults."
But the vaccination rate for children is low.
Also, new strains of the flu appear every year. Scientists believe they evolve in South-East and South Asia before making their way to Australia. Often, a new strain of flu is identified in Queensland for the first time in the world.
The fact is, rates of flu infection are highest among children. Nevertheless, children under the age of five are less likely to show the typical symptoms of flu – the fever and the cough – and you may not know that your child has actually contracted the infection.
Whilst most children generally cope pretty well with the flu, some may not be so lucky; and in any event they’re all very good at spreading the infection around. There is now mounting evidence that widespread vaccination of children against influenza slashes infection rates in both children and the more vulnerable elderly.
Each year in Australia flu causes an estimated 3,000 deaths in older Australians. There are also the economic costs to the community of 1,500,000 lost work days; 300,000 doctor visits and 18,000 hospitalisations.
The virus apparently picks its victims, singling out those people least able to resist the adverse effects. The greatest concern for doctors and patients alike is the danger, not just of the flu itself, but of severe complications such as pneumonia and the effect of influenza on existing medical conditions.
People with chronic heart, kidney or lung disease, diabetes or other long-term illnesses are particularly at risk. The stress caused by influenza can worsen these conditions and even cause premature death.
Today, prevention is our major weapon against influenza. You can help protect yourself by making sure your lifestyle is healthy with regular exercise you enjoy and a daily diet that includes the widest possible variety of foods. And, of course, annual vaccination against the flu is recommended for all people in high risk categories.
No one enjoys being laid low with the flu, but for some people it can lead to far more serious consequences than a few miserable days in bed. In an average year it’s estimated that 1500 Australians die and 20,000 to 40,000 are hospitalised as a result of the flu.
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Getting an annual flu shot is the single most important and effective measure in preventing the illness.
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It’s recommended that you get your flu shot in March or April.
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The protection develops two weeks after getting the injection and lasts up to a year.
The vaccine
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has 100 national influenza centres worldwide and four collaborating centres (including one in Melbourne), which analyse viruses from around the world. WHO convenes two meetings each year, in February and September, to review the findings of the centres and recommend which vaccine formulations should be used in the northern and southern hemispheres respectively. -
The vaccines currently used in most parts of the world are taken from an influenza virus that has been grown in embryonic hens' eggs, highly purified and then killed.
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The vaccine also contains salt water and trace amounts of an antibiotic.
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A preservative known as Thiomersol, which contains mercury and which was widely used in the past, has now been removed from many vaccines available on the market in Australia. If you are at all concerned about this, check with your GP.
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The vaccine is injected into the shoulder, or the thigh for children between six and 12 months. As the influenza virus components in the vaccine have been killed, you won’t get the flu as a result of having a flu shot, but some people experience some mild flu-like symptoms for a day or so afterwards.
Who should be vaccinated?
Anyone who wants to avoid getting the flu should get a flu shot, but it’s especially recommended for:
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All adults aged 65 and over.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over, because of their greatly increased risk of premature death from respiratory disease.
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People older than six months who have diabetes, cancer, asthma, chronic respiratory disorders or chronic heart, kidney or metabolic disorders.
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People with a suppressed immune system due to infections such as HIV, or patients on immune-suppressing drugs for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or following an organ transplant.
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Public hospital outpatients and inpatients who are considered to be at high risk for complications of influenza.
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Residents of nursing homes, hostels and other chronic-care facilities.
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Children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.
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Healthcare workers.
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Family members caring for elderly people and/or people with chronic health conditions listed above.
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Children on long-term aspirin therapy.
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Pregnant women who will be in their second or third trimester of pregnancy between June and October, as they’re likely to suffer more severe infections. The vaccine is considered safe for pregnant women and also provides protection for newborn babies during their first vulnerable months of life.
You shouldn’t get a flu shot if:
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You have a severe allergy to eggs, because the virus used in the vaccine is grown in hens’ eggs.
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You’re already ill with a fever — wait until your symptoms subside before being vaccinated.
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If you’ve previously suffered from Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) you should discuss vaccination with your doctor. In the 1990s studies found an association between the vaccine and GBS in the northern hemisphere, at a rate of roughly one to two cases of GBS per million vaccinated.
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Babies under six months of age shouldn’t be given a flu vaccine.
Benefits
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In healthy people, the flu vaccine provides around 70%–90% protection against infection for about one year, but it won’t prevent you from catching a common cold.
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Research has shown that people aged over 65 benefit greatly from flu vaccination. People in this age group are the most likely to suffer complications from flu, such as pneumonia, worsening of pre-existing conditions or even death.
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A WHO study found that flu vaccination can reduce hospitalisation by about 50% among nursing home residents and reduce the risk of pneumonia by about 60%.
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For elderly people not living in nursing homes, vaccination can reduce overall mortality by 39%–75% during flu season.
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In 2004, four out of five Australians aged over 65 were vaccinated against flu. An even greater benefit can be achieved when people 65 and over combine their influenza vaccine with the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumonia, otitis media, pneumonic meningitis and septicaemia.
How much does it cost?
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The vaccine is provided free for people aged 65 or older, and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 or older, or 15–49 for those with a chronic illness. -
If you’re not eligible for a concession, the vaccine costs around $20, depending on your pharmacy.
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If you’re entitled to a concession, or you’ve already reached your PBS safety net limit, the vaccine costs $4.90.
What is the flu vaccine?
According to Dr Christine Selvey, Queensland Health's senior director of communicable diseases, "The flu vaccine contains a small dose of parts of neutralised flu virus." So yes, it does contain the bug that gives you the flu, but because it's neutralised, it poses no threat of actually making you ill. The injection contains antigens that stimulate your immune system, therefore protecting the body against flu.
Why do I need it?
Dr Selvey says: "Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious disease that can be serious. It is spread by contact with respiratory droplets, which are scattered when people talk, cough or sneeze." Most people get flu muddled up with the common cold but flu is much more serious. "[The flu] can lead to pneumonia or even death," Dr Selvey says, "particularly in people aged 65 years and over, very young children or people with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease."
Influenza causes 2500 deaths, 80,000 GP visits and 15,000 hospitalisations among these groups of high-risk people in Australia each year.
If you would like further information about flu vaccines for children as Your Pharmacist today!
