Influenza Vaccine Importance

Influenza is a severe viral illness that may necessitate admittance to the hospital, and in some cases, it may lead to death (1). Statistically, a study was formed to indicate that the range of dead humans alternated between 3,000 and 49,000 throughout 31 seasons in the U.S. during the period of 1976 - 2007(1). As a result, the influenza vaccine was created to protect humans from influenza and its serious effects, and to prevent its spread (1). Trivalent vaccine (traditional vaccine) and quadrivalent vaccine are the most available vaccines (1, 3). Furthermore, three factors play a critical role in the efficacy of the vaccine. These factors include the wide range of similar antigens between strains, age, and the health of vaccine recipients (2). Generally, the expected side effects after taking the influenza vaccine include allergic reaction, fever, and soreness.

The first and most significant effect of the influenza vaccine is egg allergy. Allergy is a disorder that is induced due to the hypersensitivity of the immune system (4). Actually, patients who experience egg allergy after taking the influenza vaccine usually have a history of infection with allergy of chicken or eggs proteins (3). Factually, the influenza vaccine may cause egg allergy to certain patients, for most

According to the DynaMed, the rates of fever increase in the children and infants (3). Moreover, a statistic reflects that the incidence of fever after seven days from receiving the influenza vaccine was 37% in infants and children from 6 months to 3 years of age, 32% in those whose ages alternate between 3 and 5 years old, 16% in the children between 5 and 9 years old, and 8% in the children of the same age categories who get a comparator vaccine (3). On other hands, the usage of the influenza vaccine (trivalent vaccine) does not contraindicate with some minor diseases even if they accompany with or without fever