1. The Importance of Flu Vaccination
- Reduces the risk of flu infection: The flu vaccine helps the immune system recognize and destroy the influenza virus before it can cause illness.
- Prevents dangerous complications: Flu vaccination also helps reduce the risk of serious complications from the flu. It is especially necessary for people with underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Protects the community from infection: By getting a flu vaccine, you not only protect yourself but also help reduce the spread of the virus in the community (schools, workplaces, etc.).
2. Important Notes
- Delay vaccination for people with high fever or acute infections.
- People with poor immune responses (due to immunodeficiency or taking medications that affect the immune system) need a doctor's prescription to decide whether or not to get vaccinated.
- It can be given with other vaccines but must be injected at different sites.
3. Common Flu Vaccines in Vietnam1
|
No. |
Name |
Producer |
Type
|
Injection Timetable |
Injection Path |
|
1 |
INFLUVAC TETRA |
ABBOTT (Netherlands) |
It is a quadrivalent inactivated influenza virus vaccine that contains surface antigens from influenza virus strains A and B. |
Dosage: 0.5ml Children ≥ 6 months old to adults For children < 9 years old who have not been previously vaccinated, a second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose |
Intramuscular or subcutaneous injection |
|
2 |
VAXIGRIP TETRA |
SANOFI (France) |
Quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine, inactivated fragment from, grown on embryonated chicken eggs |
Dosage: 0.5ml Adults: 1 dose Children from 6 months to 17 years old: 1 dose Children <9 years old who have not been vaccinated before need to get a second dose at least 4 weeks after the first dose |
Intramuscular or subcutaneous injection |
Undesirable effects:
Common reactions: pain, mild swelling and heat at the injection site, dizziness, mild fever
Severe reactions (rare): prolonged high fever
Compiled by: Le Minh Dat (email: lmd@vpha.org.vn)
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References
1. Hội Y học Dự phòng Việt Nam (2023), Khuyến cáo Lịch tiêm chủng vắc xin cho mọi lứa tuổi ở Việt Nam, Nhà xuất bản Y học