Vaccination Info

Journal of immunology Vaccination of HCWs was associated with reductions in total patient mortality from 17% to 10% (odds ratio [OR], 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40–0.80) and in influenza-like illness (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34–0.94). Vaccination of patients was not associated with significant effects on mortality (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.81– 1.64). Results of this study support recommendations for vaccination against influenza of HCWs in long-term geriatric care. Vaccination of frail elderly long-term- care patients may not give clinically worthwhile benefits.

JAMA Setting Two large teaching hospitals in Baltimore, Md. Participants 264 hospital-based health care professionals without chronic medical problems were recruited; 49 participated for 2 seasons; 24 participated for 3 seasons. The mean age was 28.4 years, 75% were resident physicians, and 57% were women. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an influenza vaccine or a control (meningococcal vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, or placebo). Serum samples for antibody assays were collected at the time of vaccination, 1 month after vaccination, and at the end of the influenza season. weekly surveillance for illness was conducted Main Outcome Measures Serologically defined influenza infection (4-fold increase in antibodies), days of respiratory illness, and days absent from work. Results We conducted 359 person-winters of serologic surveillance (99.4% follow-up) and 4746 person-weeks of illness surveillance (100% follow-up). Twenty-four (13.4%) of 179 control subjects and 3 (1.7%) of 180 influenza vaccine recipients had serologic evidence of influenza type A or B infection during the study period. Vaccine efficacy against serologically defined infection was 88% for influenza A (95% confidence interval [CI], 47%-97%; P=.001) and 89% for influenza B (95% CI, 14%-99%; P=.03). Conclusions Influenza vaccine is effective in preventing infection by influenza A and B in health care professionals and may reduce reported days of work absence and febrile respiratory illness. These data support a policy of annual influenza vaccination of health care professionals.

Vaccine Antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly: A quantitative review Abstract We performed a quantitative review of 31 vaccine antibody response studies conducted from 1986 to 2002 and compared antibody responses to influenza vaccine in groups of elderly versus younger adults. We did a weighted analysis of the probability of vaccine response (measured as seroconversion and seroprotection) for each vaccine component (H1, H3 and B antigens). Using a multiple regression model, we adjusted for factors that might affect the vaccine response. The adjusted odds-ratio (OR) of responses in elderly versus young adults ranged from 0.24 to 0.59 in terms of seroconversion and seroprotection to all three antigens. The CDC estimates of 70–90% clinical vaccine efficacy in young adults and these estimates suggest a corresponding clinical efficacy in the elderly of 17–53% depending on circulating viruses. We conclude that the antibody response in the elderly is considerably lower than in younger adults. This highlights the need for more immunogenic vaccine formulations for the elderly.

CDC *TODAY, THE ONLY CHILDHOOD VACCINES USED ROUTINELY IN THE UNITED STATES THAT CONTAIN THIMEROSAL (MERCURY) ARE FLU VACCINES IN MULTI-DOSE VIALS. THESE VIALS HAVE VERY TINY AMOUNTS OF THIMEROSAL AS A PRESERVATIVE. THIS IS NECESSARY BECAUSE EACH TIME AN INDIVIDUAL DOSE IS DRAWN FROM A MULTI-DOSE VIAL WITH A NEW NEEDLE AND SYRINGE, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL TO CONTAMINATE THE VIAL WITH HARMFUL MICROBES (TOXINS). THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE SMALL AMOUNTS OF THIMEROSAL IN FLU VACCINES CAUSES ANY HARM, EXCEPT FOR MINOR REACTIONS LIKE REDNESS AND SWELLING AT THE INJECTION SITE. ALTHOUGH NO EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT THERE ARE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIMEROSAL, VACCINE MANUFACTURERS HAVE STOPPED USING IT AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. FLU VACCINES THAT DO NOT CONTAIN THIMEROSAL ARE AVAILABLE (IN SINGLE DOSE VIALS).

CDC Can the flu vaccine give me the flu? No, a flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines that are administered with a needle are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are therefore not infectious, or b) with no flu vaccine viruses at all (which is the case for recombinant influenza vaccine). The nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are attenuated (weakened), and therefore cannot cause flu illness. The weakened viruses are cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only cause infection at the cooler temperatures found within the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas where warmer temperatures exist.

Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and nasal spray flu vaccines. These side effects are mild and short-lasting, especially when compared to symptoms of influenza infection. The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are: Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given Fever (low grade) Aches The nasal spray: The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. In children, side effects from the nasal spray can include: Runny nose Wheezing Headache Vomiting Muscle aches Fever

igher humidity levels indoors can significantly reduce the infectivity of influenza virus particles released by coughing, according to research published February 27 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by John Noti and colleagues from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

They found that an hour after being released in a room at a relative humidity of 23% or less, 70-77% of viral particles retained their infectious capacity, but when humidity was increased to about 43%, only 14% of the virus particles were capable of infecting cells. Most of this inactivation occurred within the first fifteen minutes of the viral particles being released in the high-humidity condition.

Effects of Vitamin D