Feature Article: Understanding Types of Influenza Vaccines
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Parents PACKPublished on
Parents PACKGetting a seasonal influenza vaccine provides the best protection available against what can be a severe, and even deadly, disease. The vaccine typically protects about 70 of 100 vaccinated people from being infected with influenza and often lessens the length and severity of the disease for those who do become infected. While the recommendation to get an influenza vaccine is well understood, the different types of influenza vaccines available may require additional information.
The first influenza vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1945. Through the years, advancements in vaccine research and manufacturing have resulted in a few different influenza vaccine options. Below is a summary of the different influenza vaccines now available.
The traditional influenza vaccine is made by growing influenza viruses in eggs, purifying the viruses, and then completely killing the viruses with a chemical so that they cannot replicate and, therefore, cannot cause disease. Versions of the influenza shot contain three or four strains of influenza virus. The inactivated version, given as a shot into a muscle, is the version most people receive. It is made by multiple companies, so it is distributed under a variety of product names and brands. Possible side effects include redness, soreness or hardening at the injection site, muscle aches or a low-grade fever.
Several special preparations of the inactivated influenza vaccine are also available:
Editor’s note: In July 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended against using the live attenuated nasal spray influenza vaccine during the 2016-2017 influenza season. The recommendation was made due to ineffectiveness of the vaccine during the previous few seasons and, not vaccine safety concerns.
Learn more about the decision.
The intranasal version of the influenza vaccine contains live, weakened influenza viruses that have been grown repeatedly in the laboratory, so that instead of replicating at body temperature, they are better able to replicate in the comparably cooler temperatures of the nasal cavity. Because the vaccine virus cannot grow at normal body temperature, it can’t possibly cause the pneumonia that is occasionally a consequence of natural infection. The nasal spray influenza vaccine provides protection against four types of influenza. It is approved for use in healthy people between the ages of 2 years and 49 years. Possible side effects include runny nose, mild congestion, sore throat and cough.
Although understanding the different types of the vaccine may be confusing, the important thing to know is that this variety enables healthcare professionals to safely vaccinate virtually anyone who requests an influenza vaccine. And, for virtually everyone, receiving a seasonal influenza vaccine is the best defense against this unpredictable, and potentially deadly, pathogen.
Categories: Feature Article, Parents PACK Nov. 2015
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.