Because the weather changes frequently, sometimes hot, sometimes rainy, it’s unpredictable, causing many people to fall ill. The most common disease during this period is “Influenza”, caused by the Influenza virus that spreads through the air. The best way to prevent this disease is by getting the influenza vaccine.
Is it necessary to get the influenza vaccine every year?
Normally, the influenza vaccine is produced annually because the virus strains keep changing. The vaccine can protect against 3-4 strains of influenza, including 2 types of strain A and 1-2 types of strain B. After vaccination, immunity develops within 1–2 weeks to produce enough antibodies to protect against the influenza virus. The immunity lasts for about 1 year after vaccination. Therefore, it is recommended to get the influenza vaccine regularly every year!!
How necessary is it to get the influenza vaccine?
Getting the influenza vaccine is the best preventive measure because influenza spreads easily and causes more severe symptoms than the common cold. It usually lasts longer than 1 week or even more before full recovery, especially in the elderly. If infected with influenza and left untreated, it can be dangerous.
Who should get the influenza vaccine?
- Patients with 7 chronic diseases: diabetes, stroke, kidney failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, and cancer undergoing chemotherapy
- Pregnant women at 4 months of pregnancy or more
- Individuals aged 65 years and older
- Young children aged 6 months to 2 years
- People with brain disabilities who cannot take care of themselves
- Patients with thalassemia
- People with immunodeficiency and HIV-infected individuals
Who should not get the influenza vaccine?
- Children under 6 months old
- People allergic to eggs, as this vaccine is produced from eggs
- Patients with fever or who have recently recovered from acute illness within 7 days
- Patients with uncontrolled chronic diseases should postpone vaccination
Because the influenza virus changes its subtypes every year, sometimes twice a year, it is important to get vaccinated annually to maintain sufficient immunity when exposed to the influenza virus and to prevent infection promptly.
Dr. Suwannee Rattanachuwong
Internal Medicine Physician, General Medicine Clinic
Phyathai 3 Hospital
