Immunization
protect you from this year’s viruses. After receiving the vaccination, your immune system produces antibodies that will protect you from the viruses found in the vaccine. This immune response may also cause a low-grade fever and body aches, but cannot actually give you the flu. In fact, the symptoms experienced after the flu vaccine are much milder than symptoms caused by the actual flu illness. In addi- tion, antibody levels start to decline over time, which is another reason to get a flu shot every year. Since 2003, influenza vaccinations have
been available in two forms: an inacti- vated influenza vaccine administered via injection into the arm or leg; and a live attenuated influenza vaccine administered via spray inhaled through the nostrils. While both forms of the influenza vac- cination have been closely studied for years, Dr. Joseph Bresee, a flu expert at the CDC, explained in a press release in June 2016 that they “could find no evi- dence [the spray] was effective.” Based on these findings, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the discontinuation of the spray. Although the reason for the ineffectiveness of the spray is unclear, the discontinuation
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highlights the importance of ensuring public health interventions are clearly beneficial. While the flu vaccine protects millions of people every year, evaluating public health interventions such as the flu vaccine helps improve processes and protect the most vulnerable among us. Thus, despite the difficulty the spray ter- mination may present for pediatric offices and other vaccine providers, the focus is always to deliver the best care possible to pediatric patients. The influenza vaccine is vital to protect
yourself, your kids and people around you at risk for serious complications from the flu. Although the vaccine does not guaran- tee that you won’t get it, it may reduce the severity of symptoms should you get sick. Don’t wait: Make an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider now to protect your family during flu season.
Lacey Eden, MS, NP-C, is a NP in a busy pediatric office in Draper, UT, and an as- sistant teaching professor in the College of Nursing at Brigham Young University. Erin Marshall, SN, MA, is a student nurse in the bachelors program at Brigham Young University. She works as a medical assistant in a pediatric office in Provo, UT.
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