immunisation

Seasonal FluPost Vaccine Advice

Public Health Directorate • Cronk Coar • Noble’s Hospital Strang • Douglas • Isle of Man • IM4 4RJ

email: publichealth@gov.imweb: www.gov.im/publichealth

the information in this documentcan be provided in large print or

on audio tape on request.

any problems?Telephone your GP or Practice Nurse forfurther advice

Ref No. CDC15a 08/11

CatCh it

Bin it

Kill it

here are some common questions

and answers raised following

vaccination against seasonal

influenza (flu).

am i protected as soon as i havehad the vaccination?

It may take 10 to 14 days for your

body to make enough antibodies to

give you protection. The ideal time for

vaccination is therefore between

September and early November.

Will the vaccine make me have flu?

The vaccine contains inactivated flu

viruses; there are no live organisms in

the vaccine so it cannot cause you to

get flu.

Many other viruses cause respiratory

infections similar to flu during the flu

season; eg, the common cold and

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The

flu vaccine that you have had will not

protect against these diseases.

Should i expect to have any

side-effects?

Any vaccine can cause a person to have

some side-effects - it shows that the

immune system has been stimulated to

make antibodies. The most common

side-effects are tenderness and redness

at the site of injection. Some people

may experience mild flu-like

symptoms, such as headache, fever

and dizziness starting 6 – 12 hours after

vaccination and lasting 48 hours.

Paracetamol or ibuprofen are good at

bringing a fever down and reducing

any discomfort. (always follow the

instructions on the packet).

Why do i have to have a flu

vaccination every year?

The reason for the annual vaccination

programme is to protect those who

are most at risk of serious illness or

death should they develop flu. You

have just received a vaccination to

protect you against the three most

common types of flu during autumn

and winter. Every year, the flu virus

changes slightly meaning that last

year’s vaccine may not give you

adequate protection.

Remember:

‘CatCh it, Bin it, Kill it’

Covering your cough and

sneezes, disposing of the tissues

and washing hands immediately

with soap and water.