Influenza vaccination in practice

Influenza is a disease caused by myxovirus influenzae A and B, responsible for seasonal epidemics.

She is responsible for many deaths in each epidemic, especially among the elderly with prior cardiovascular disease.

The vaccine is composed of several strains: those that were detected in the previous month.

They are named after the cities where virology laboratories have identified the pathogenic strains, but it is not impossible that they originated elsewhere.

For winter 2007/2008 the vaccine is composed as follows:

- An A / / strain Solomon Island 3/2006 (H1N1)

- A strains Winconsin 67/2005 (H3N2)

or A/Hiroshima/52/2005

- A similar strain B / Malaisia 2506/2004

The influenza virus, or rather influenza virus mutate (change is) very quickly and this is the reason that one is obliged each year to produce a suitable pathogen strains detected six months before winter vaccine.

THAT VACCINATION?

- Those likely to decompensate preexisting severe disease (worsening of pre-existing disease)

- Pregnant women from the 4th month of pregnancy women

- People over 65,

- Patients with diabetes,

- Patients with heart failure,

- Patients with respiratory failure,

- Patients with chronic nephropathy (kidney disease)

- Immunocompromised,

- Patients with cancer,

- Children, especially asthmatics,

- The exposed through their work, all health professions in particular,

- Teachers,

- Professional leaders whose presence is essential to their job,

- Students take exams or important competition

- The staff of nursing homes and hospitals,

- The top athletes.

WHEN VACCINATED?

This vaccine is very well tolerated, there is very little intolerance.

Immunity is acquired after 15 days and lasts six to eight months.

The best time to get vaccinated is the second half of October (unless an epidemic announcement earlier).

HOW TO VACCINATION AND HOW MUCH IT COST?

It is issued by the pharmacies for order or support sent by the Social Security Fund. This support must be signed by the attending physician.

Vaccination can be done by your doctor or at clinics and public hospitals.

It is free and dispensed by the pharmacist against support sent by the Social Security trust fund to which the patient

1) for people over 70 years

2) irrespective of age for patients:

- Insulin-dependent diabetes or not can not be balanced by diet alone,

- Of disabling stroke,

- With severe kidney disease and pristine pure nephrotic syndrome,

- A serious violation of neuromuscular including myopathy,

- Cystic fibrosis

- CHD poorly tolerated,

- With severe heart failure,

- Serious cardiac valvular disease,

- Severe chronic respiratory insufficiency,

- AIDS.

Patients under these conditions and those seventy years and older can apply for free care from their social security fund until the end of December if they have not received directly.

The vaccine is also free for migrants living permanently in France on a regular basis and provided with a Form E 106, E 109, E 121 or E 122 and elderly persons in nursing institutions.

When you get your vaccine at your pharmacy, it will keep it in the crisper of your refrigerator until use.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

- Holders subjects of true allergy to egg proteins should not be vaccinated. It is necessary to assert such an allergy to have an anaphylactic (allergic) reaction after eating some eggs.

- An HIV HIV (AIDS)-indicates not formally against an influenza vaccination, in any case, shall be made only when absolutely necessary. It is best to use in these patients preventive medication: the Roflual, or Mantadix (see HIV-positive and AIDS VACCINE).

POI:

INSTITUT PASTEUR

25 rue du Docteur Roux

75015 PARIS

tel: 01 45 68 80 00