In the United States, the composition of each year's flu vaccine is determined by the U.S. Public Health Service. Unfortunately, last year's vaccine is unlikely to offer protection against the current year's epidemic. The influenza vaccine is indicated for individuals older than 6 months of age who are at increased risk for complications. Children and adults with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, kidney dysfunction, metabolic diseases, or immune disorders e. Children and teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy Influenza vaccine should also be seriously considered for health care workers, medical personnel, caretakers of individuals at high risk of contracting influenza, and international travelers. HIV-infected individuals are also good candidates for influenza vaccine.
Influenza vaccine is generally well-tolerated.
Occasionally, an individual may develop mild flu-like side effects 6 to 12 hours following vaccination and lasting 1 to 2 days. As the vaccine is grown in eggs, individuals with a known allergy to eggs should not receive the vaccine. The vaccine is also to be avoided by those with a previous allergic reaction to flu vaccine or a known allergy to mercury or the mercury derivative thimerosal. The vaccine should not be given during a respiratory or other active infection. Vaccination against illness has been one of the great advances made by medical science.