vaccination

Target Groups for Vaccination

Persons at Increased Risk for Complications Vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended for the following persons who are at increased risk for complications from influenza: · persons aged >65 years; · residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions; · adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma (hypertension is not considered a high-risk condition); · adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up [...]

Systemic Reactions to Vaccination

Fever, malaise, myalgia, and other systemic symptoms can occur after vaccination with inactivated vaccine and most often affect persons who have had no previous exposure to the influenza virus antigens in the vaccine (e.g., young children) (189,190). These reactions begin 6--12 hours after vaccination and can persist for 1--2 days. Recent placebo-controlled trials demonstrate that among older persons and healthy young adults, administration of split-virus influenza vaccine is not associated with higher rates of systemic symptoms (e.g., fever, malaise, [...]

Persons who should not be vaccinated

Persons Who Should Not Be Vaccinated with Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Inactivated influenza vaccine should not be administered to persons known to have anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs or to other components of the influenza vaccine without first consulting a physician (see Side Effects and Adverse Reactions). Prophylactic use of antiviral agents is an option for preventing influenza among such persons. However, persons who have a history of anaphylactic hypersensitivity to vaccine components but who are also at high risk for complications [...]

Epidemics of influenza

Epidemics of influenza typically occur during the winter months in temperate regions and have been responsible for an average of approximately 36,000 deaths/year in the United States during 1990--1999. Influenza viruses also can cause pandemics, during which rates of illness and death from influenza-related complications can increase worldwide. Influenza viruses cause disease among all age groups Rates of infection are highest among children, but rates of serious illness and death are highest among persons aged >65 years, children aged [...]