The Importance of Influenza Vaccination for Young People – Preventing the Spread of Flu to Vulnerable Populations

2024-03-14 07:27:00

For young people without chronic diseases If you are sick with the flu, your symptoms may be mild. But it can spread the infection to family members. Especially if there are elderly people or people with chronic diseases, there can be serious consequences if they are infected with influenza.

Therefore, how to prevent disease as well ‘Influenza vaccination’ is considered to be the safest and most medically cost-effective. And has been widely accepted and used around the world for over 80 years, so there is confidence in its effectiveness and high safety. It is recommended to get the injection annually, once a year. You can start vaccination immediately. Since the end of March Especially in the elderly group The vaccine will help reduce the severity of the illness. Reduce severe complications Reduce hospital stays and reduce the loss of life. After vaccination It takes approximately 2 weeks for the body to stimulate immunity after vaccination.

In this regard, the Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand It is recommended that everyone should get the flu vaccine. It can be injected at any age. 6 months and up. Currently, Thailand has 2 types of influenza vaccine. namely

1. Standard dose influenza vaccine contains 15 micrograms of antigen per strain per dose. Can be injected from 6 months of age up to the elderly.

2. The high dose influenza vaccine has 4 times more antigen than the standard dose. Studies have shown that it reduces symptomatic infections more than the standard dose influenza vaccine by 24.2%, reducing hospital stays from influenza and pneumonia. It is 64.4 percent higher than the standard size and reduces deaths from influenza 48.9 percent higher than the standard size. It is another option for the elderly 65 years and older because the elderly group It is a high-risk group that has a higher chance of infection than other groups. They are at higher risk of being hospitalized and dying than other groups. Therefore, it is recommended that a high dose of influenza vaccine be administered. To stimulate the immune system better than the standard size There may be slightly more pain at the injection site than the standard size.

Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Thawee concluded that influenza is a respiratory disease that spreads every year, all year round, but can be prevented with a vaccine. This is considered the most cost-effective, cost-effective, and safe disease prevention measure. Can prevent infection Reduce the severity of the disease and significantly reduce the death rate Therefore, it is recommended that people take care of their health by getting an annual influenza vaccination. Start injecting right away. Since the end of March Before the rainy season until October every year, once a year, by consulting with a doctor to choose the appropriate vaccine.