Can you get the flu vaccine? Can pregnant women get vaccinated?

Influenza vaccination campaign extended until 30 June

despite the National Immunization Plan (PNI) having turned 50 and Brazil is recognized as a strong country vaccine culturea large part of the population still has doubts about the care they should have before and after the bite.

With that in mind, the Stadium collected the most common questions related to the topic and listened to experts on the subject.

Can I get vaccinated if I have the flu?

The flu vaccine is distributed by the Unified Health System (SUS), but some people have avoided getting it because they already have the flu. It turns out that this is not an impediment to receiving the dose.

“If you have a cough and a runny nose, you can catch it without problems,” assures Miriam Macedo, a nurse and professor who coordinates the Vacina Bahia lifelong health education project of the state government. “What you can’t do is get vaccinated in case you have a fever,” she reflects. This rule applies to all vaccines, not just the flu.

Infectologist Raquel Stucchi, a professor at Campinas State University (Unicamp) and consultant to the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI), also points out that the reason for the fever does not matter. “The goal is not to hinder the investigation into a possible adverse reaction to the vaccine,” she justifies herself. That is, it has nothing to do with any risk in itself.

If the fever disappears completely over a period of at least 48 hours, the individual can already be vaccinated.

On the website of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) it is informed that “the flu is not a formal contraindication to the application of the vaccine” and that immunization should not be carried out only “in the case of an acute febrile illness that compromises the general state of health ”.

The agency also advises that the patient can ask a specialist doctor or the vaccinator himself to examine his clinical condition before being immunized.

When not to get vaccinated?

The presence of fever is one of the only obstacles to suspending the vaccination programme. Another contraindication involves the occurrence of a severe allergic reaction after using any component of the vaccine or a previous dose.

What type of allergies should I consider before taking the vaccine?

Redness and itching at the site of the needle puncture are not signs of an allergy to the immunizer. “This warning is only for severe cases, which have caused the patient to seek a health unit and receive confirmation of an allergic reaction,” explains the doctor.

According to the website of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIM), the truly worrying manifestations can be represented by asthma, eczema, rhinitis, urticaria, anaphylaxis, etc.

Anaphylaxis is the most serious allergic reaction and occurs immediately. But Sbim reiterates that his presence is rare.

Other than that, only egg allergy should be considered before immunization – and again this depends on the type of vaccine the person will be taking. “The yellow fever vaccine, for example, can only be given to children who have already consumed this food,” emphasizes the nurse.

According to her, the same reasoning applies to adults. “Anyone who has had an allergy after eating the food itself or the sweets and pasta made with it should be aware of this,” she informs.

On the other hand, egg allergy is not a contraindication to receiving, for example, vaccines against covid-19, since there are no traces of food in these immunisers.

Is it possible to get the flu after having the flu shot?

In the same way that redness and itching don’t clearly represent a picture of vaccine allergy, feelings of tiredness and “broken body” don’t necessarily mean a picture of the flu. It should be noted that the vaccine will only offer protection against the disease in about 15 days. “So until then, you can get the flu virus and experience symptoms,” emphasizes the Vacina Bahia professor.

There is also the possibility of being contaminated before vaccination.

It should also be noted that no vaccine is 100% effective. Sbim informs “that some vaccines cannot completely prevent the disease, but alleviate its severity”.

An example is precisely the vaccine against the flu virus. When applied to risk groups, such as the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, it will not always prevent the flu. “But adequate vaccination will greatly reduce the risk of complications, such as hospitalizations or even death,” explains Sbim.

Can I get a vaccine if I’m using antibiotics?

According to Stucchi, no vaccine justifies the interruption of the use of medicines, be they antibiotics or medicines against diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases. “You must continue to use the medicine as directed by your doctor,” summarizes the infectious disease specialist.

This advice is especially important for the immunosuppressed group, i.e. individuals who, for some reason, have weaker immunity.

Depending on the individual situation, they even tend to be prioritized in vaccination campaigns. After all, due to low immunity, such people are at increased risk of complications when contracting any disease.

Can I get the covid and flu vaccines together?

“The preference is precisely to apply both at the same time, in order not to run the risk that the person forgets them and remains without them”, clarifies the nurse from Bahia. The tip is valid for all types of vaccines against covid and at any stage of immunization – first doses, booster or application of the bivalent vaccine.

The Unicamp professor explains that new studies already confirm that, for those who have already taken one of the two immunizers, there is no need for a break between doses.

However, in the Vacina Bahia program, according to Macedo, if the flu and covid vaccines are not offered on the same day, a 15-day break between doses is required.

The operational technical report on influenza vaccination, released by the Ministry of Health in March 2023, only says that both can be taken together, without specifying the interval between them if one is applied first.

As for other types of immunisers, Sbim clarifies that “the joint application of appropriate vaccines for this type of procedure does not involve health risks”.

According to the entity, our body is prepared to respond adequately to this type of procedure.

Can you donate blood after the flu shot?

The same technical note from the ministry warns that it is necessary to wait 48 hours between applying the vaccine and donating blood. Newly vaccinated people are considered temporarily unfit.

Can pregnant women get the flu shot?

The SBI doctor is adamant: “Not only can they, they must.”

Stucchi says pregnant women, as well as the immunosuppressed and the elderly, are at a higher risk of complications if they get the flu. “They may encounter problems during their pregnancy, such as a premature birth or pneumonia caused by the flu virus,” she exemplifies.

What vaccines can pregnant women not take?

According to Macedo, pregnant women should get vaccines against hepatitis, tetanus and triple adult-type acellular bacterial vaccine (DTPA), in addition to campaign vaccines for flu.

In case of immunization against covid only Pfizer and Sinovac (Coronavirus) brands are issued. On the other hand, pregnant women cannot receive vaccines made with weakened viruses. They are: chickenpox (which protects against chickenpox) and triple viral (which fights measles, mumps and rubella).

There is an initial recommendation to also avoid yellow fever vaccine among pregnant women. However, if the risk of the woman becoming infected is too high, an exception is made. “You need the evaluation of a doctor or nurse specializing in vaccines to evaluate this question of risk / benefit,” Stucchi warns.

The infectious disease specialist also points out that, once released to the population, the dengue vaccine will not be made available to pregnant women.

I took the covid vaccine while pregnant, should I vaccinate my child?

Even if immunization took place during pregnancy, it is recommended to vaccinate infants and children. The application must take place after six months of the child’s life.

Can you drink alcohol after having the vaccine?

This is a question that has become frequently asked during the coronavirus pandemic. Experts make it clear that it’s okay to drink alcohol at the time. “You can drink and get vaccines, you just can’t drive after drinking,” Stucchi underlines.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.