The national influenza (flu) vaccination for the 2023-2024 season will be administered in a consecutive manner based on eligibility, as announced by the Incheon Branch of the Population Health and Welfare Association (source: Cheonji Ilbo, September 21, 2023).
In October, the distribution of flu vaccines commenced in frontline hospitals and public health centers. As the temperature drops and the seasons change, the incidence of colds tends to rise. In such cases, it is advisable to get a flu shot once your cold has subsided, in addition to taking cold medicine.
The optimal time for receiving a flu vaccination is generally between October and December. However, the peak period for flu outbreaks falls between December and March of the subsequent year. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine typically becomes evident two weeks after the vaccination, reaches its peak at four weeks, and lasts for approximately five months. Therefore, it is recommended to complete your flu vaccination by mid-October to November, providing you with adequate protection throughout the flu season.
Influenza is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets released by individuals with acute cases of the flu, usually through coughing or sneezing.
Many people confuse the flu shot with a common cold shot. While the flu is indeed a type of cold, it is a distinct illness caused by the influenza virus, such as the well-known swine flu.
Flu symptoms include a high fever exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and severe discomfort to the point that everyday activities become challenging. Symptoms typically manifest within a span of 2 to 5 days and can resolve within a week. However, the flu poses a severe threat, particularly to the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, and young children, as it can lead to complications and even death.
Vaccination is strongly recommended for individuals in high-risk groups. The flu vaccine targets specific antigens present in the viruses, thus preventing the flu. Moreover, the vaccine can mitigate the symptoms of secondary complications, making it crucial for those at greater risk.
High-risk groups for the flu include the following categories:
– Individuals aged 65 and above
– Individuals with chronic lung disease
– Individuals with chronic heart disease (excluding simple high blood pressure)
– Individuals undergoing treatment, caregiving, or residing in group facilities due to chronic illness
– Individuals with chronic liver disease
– Individuals with chronic kidney disease
– Individuals with nervous-muscular disease
– Individuals with blood tumor disease
– Diabetic patients
– Individuals taking immunosuppressants
Additionally, the following groups are also advised to receive the flu vaccine:
– Healthcare workers in medical institutions
– Individuals with chronic illnesses who interact with healthcare workers
– Pregnant women
– Individuals living with elderly individuals aged 65 and above
– Individuals caring for infants under 6 months of age
– Aspirin users aged between 60 months and 18 years
It is important to note the difference between trivalent and quadrivalent flu vaccines. The primary distinction lies in the number of virus types included in the vaccine. Trivalent vaccines consist of two types of type A virus and one type of type B virus. Alternatively, quadrivalent vaccines offer broader protection by encompassing two types of type A virus and two types of type B virus. The World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency have recommended the use of quadrivalent vaccines since 2012, owing to the increasing number of influenza cases despite vaccination with the trivalent version.
Lee Seol-la, head of the nephrology department at Asan Chungmu Hospital, advises that while flu vaccination does not eradicate the flu entirely, it is crucial to adhere to personal hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing and wearing a mask when experiencing respiratory symptoms like coughing. He emphasizes the need for proactive flu prevention and hopes for a winter free from both flu and colds.
The national vaccination against influenza (flu) for the 2023-2024 season will be held consecutively according to those eligible (Incheon Branch of the Population Health and Welfare Association) ⓒCheonji Ilbo 2023.09.21.
[천지일보=홍보영 기자] In October, flu vaccinations began in frontline hospitals and public health centres.
When the temperature drops suddenly and the season changes, the number of people suffering from colds increases. In such cases, you must get a flu shot (flu) when your cold gets better. by taking cold medicine.
It is known that the best possible time for a flu vaccination is between October and December. However, the flu epidemic period is between December and March of the following year, and the effectiveness of the flu vaccination starts to appear 2 weeks after the vaccination, peaks at 4 weeks, and lasts for around 5 months, so of mid October to November. It is a good idea to complete your flu vaccination sometime in the middle of the year.
Influenza is spread from person to person through respiratory droplets that are secreted when an acute flu patient coughs or sneezes.
Many people misunderstand the flu shot as a cold shot. Of course, it is true that the flu is a type of cold, but the flu is a completely different disease to the cold. It corresponds to a cold caused by an influenza virus, such as the commonly known swine flu.
The flu causes clear systemic symptoms such as high fever over 38 degrees, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain, and the pain is so severe that everyday life is difficult. Symptoms appear in about 2 to 5 days, and recovery is possible in about a week, but in the elderly, people with chronic diseases, or young children, it is a dangerous disease that can cause complications and even lead to death.
◆ Vaccination is required for high risk groups
The flu vaccine is a vaccine against certain antigens of these viruses, so it prevents the flu. This flu vaccine can improve the symptoms of secondary complications, so it is essential to have it for high risk groups.
High risk groups for flu include: ▲The elderly over 65, ▲Chronic lung disease, ▲Chronic heart disease (except simple high blood pressure), ▲People receiving treatment, nursing care, or accommodation in group facilities such as social welfare facilities due to chronic disease, ▲Chronic liver disease, ▲Chronic kidney disease, ▲Nervous-Muscular disease ▲blood tumor disease ▲diabetic patient ▲immune suppressant (those taking immunosuppressants).
In addition, ▲medical institution workers – patients with chronic illnesses ▲pregnant women ▲people living with elderly people over 65 ▲those who care for babies under 6 months ▲pregnant women ▲aspirin users between 60 months and 18 years old.
◆ Differences between trivalent and quadrivalent flu vaccines
The difference between the trivalent flu vaccine and the quadrivalent flu vaccine is based on the number of virus types included in the flu vaccine. The trivalent vaccine contains two types of type A virus and one type of type B virus, and the quadrivalent vaccine (two types of type A and two types of type B) also contains one type of type B virus. In other words, the difference is that the prevention range of the tetravalent vaccine is wider than that of the current trivalent vaccine. As the number of cases of influenza despite receiving the current trivalent vaccine increases, the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency have been recommending quadrivalent vaccination since 2012.
Lee Seol-la, head of the nephrology department at Asan Chungmu Hospital, said, “Flu vaccination does not completely prevent the flu, so follow personal hygiene rules such as washing your hands often and brushing your teeth, and wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms such as coughing “Don’t forget that you have to actively prevent the flu,” he said. “I hope this winter will be free not only of flu but also of colds. “Hopefully you can have a cold-free winter with thorough prevention,” he said.
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