It's Still Not Too Late to Get the Flu Vaccination in Children!

Seasonal flu (influenza) disease begins in autumn in our country and continues during the winter months. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. E. Manolya KARA stated that influenza (flu) vaccines are vaccines that provide protection against the influenza virus subtypes that are predicted to be the most common in the coming season, and pointed out the importance of seasonal flu vaccination for everyone over 6 months of age. She stated that the best time to get the flu vaccine is September-October, when the season has not started yet, and that it is known that the flu vaccine which  makes during the winter months also provides protection..
Seasonal flu disease, which is caused by influenza A or B viruses and occurs in epidemics every year around the world, occurs in the winter months in the temperate climates of our country. Yeditepe University Hospitals Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Manolya KARA underlined that this problem which closely concerns all children, has become more important especially for children under the age of two who are considered a risk group. Dr. Manolya Kara said that the rate of hospitalization due to influenza is higher in children under the age of 5 than in children over the age of 5.

Influenza Can Threaten The Life Of Children!

Assoc. Prof. Dr. KARA pointed out that approximately one billion seasonal flu cases are observed annually worldwide and 3 to 5 million of them develop serious illness. Dr. Kara said, “290,000 to 650,000 people die annually due to influenza-related respiratory complications. "Although the risk is higher in those with chronic diseases, approximately half of influenza-related deaths in childhood occur in healthy children who do not have any problems." She said.
Flu Symptoms Should Not Be Mixed With Other Symptoms
Reminding that flu vaccine symptoms are often confused with upper respiratory tract infections, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manolya Kara said that flu symptoms begin approximately two days after a person carrying the virus becomes infected and said: “Sudden onset of high fever, cough usually seen as a dry cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, severe weakness, feeling unwell, sore throat and  Symptoms such as runny nose may be observed. Fever lasts for an average of 2-5 days. During the course of the disease, sinusitis, otitis media, pneumonia, myositis (muscle inflammation), vomiting, diarrhea, and more rarely, neurological findings that may lead to loss of consciousness and coma may be observed. “The cough can be severe and last for 2 weeks or longer.”

When Should We Get The Flu Vaccine?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. KARA stated that influenza (flu) vaccines are vaccines that provide protection against the influenza virus subtypes that are predicted to be the most common in the coming season and that seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. Dr. Kara said, “In addition, people who are at high risk of developing complications (severe illness) due to influenza should definitely receive a flu vaccine. The vaccine should preferably be given at least two weeks before flu cases begin to appear. "These days, when flu cases are increasing in our country, those who have not yet been vaccinated should definitely be vaccinated," She said.

Flu Vaccine Is Lifesaving In Children!

Explaining that children under the age of 5 (especially those under the age of 2) are at risk of serious flu-related illness, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manolya Kara said that a study conducted in 2022 showed that the flu vaccine reduces the risk of serious life-threatening flu in children by 75 percent. She explained that the vaccine can be safely implemented to children older than six months.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. KARA stated that the effectiveness of the flu vaccine may vary depending on various factors such as the seasonal virus type and the immune system of the person vaccinated. Dr. Manolya Kara continued her words as follows: “The flu vaccine protects people especially from “severe illness” and “hospitalization”. For example; In 2019-2020, the last flu season before the COVID-19 pandemic, the flu vaccine was estimated to have prevented an estimated 7.5 million flu illnesses and 6,300 flu-related deaths. “A 2021 study showed that among adults hospitalized with flu, vaccinated patients had a 26 percent lower risk of intensive care unit admission and a 31 percent lower risk of death from flu compared to those who were not vaccinated.”

Vaccine Does Not Protect Against Different Respiratory Tract  Diseases

"Many people think that the vaccine is not effective, saying that they still get sick despite having the seasonal flu vaccine," said Yeditepe University Hospitals Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Porf. Dr. Manolya Kara answered this question as follows: “There are several reasons why a person may show flu symptoms after receiving the flu vaccine: First; In addition to the flu, this person may also become ill with another respiratory virus such as rhinoviruses or COVID-19. Other respiratory viruses can cause flu-like symptoms. Flu vaccines only protect against influenza, not other diseases. "In addition, if the vaccinated person encounters the virus immediately before vaccination or within the two-week period required for the vaccine to protect, the development of the disease cannot be prevented."