• Influenza is a contagious disease of the respiratory tract. It is caused by a virus.
• Influenza is spread by coughing, sneezing or direct contact. Good hygiene (i.e., hand washing) is an important way to prevent the spread of influenza.
• Symptoms of influenza include sudden fever, chills, muscle aches and cough.
• Influenza occurs in Canada every year during late fall and winter months.
• Immunization against influenza is encouraged for healthy adults and children.
• The Public Health Nurse will help international travellers to determine their risk.
  

• Get immunized every year.
• Practice good hygiene:
  • frequent hand washing,
  • coughing or sneezing into a tissue and throwing it in the garbage immediately,
  • cleaning surfaces regularly,
  • stay home when sick.

• Fluviral® contains weakened influenza virus, thimerosal, trace amounts of egg proteins and sodium deoxycholate.
• Vaxigrip® contains weakened influenza virus grown on eggs, thimerosal, formaldehyde, Triton® X-100, and neomycin.
• New influenza viruses emerge each year, so vaccine must be produced each year to ensure it provides the best possible protection against the types of flu virus in circulation.

• People 65 years of age or older.
• Children 6 to 23 months of age.
• Pregnant women.
• Adults and children with chronic heart or lung disorders.
• Adults and children with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and other metabolic diseases, cancer, immunodeficiency, renal disease, immunosuppression, anemia and hemoglobinopathy.
• People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and/or special care homes.
• Adults and children with conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions are associated with an increased risk of aspiration, such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and acquired brain disorders.
• Children and youth from 24 months to 18 years of age who have been treated for a long period of time on acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).
• Individuals directly involved in the destruction of poultry infected with avian influenza (bird flu).

• Infants younger than 6 months of age (vaccine is ineffective).
• Persons who have a serious illness, with or without fever, should delay immunization. A mild illness, with or without fever, is not a reason to avoid immunization.
• Persons who have allergies to any of the vaccine components.
• Persons who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of the influenza vaccine.
• Anyone who has developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS, a neurological disorder) within 6-8 weeks of a previous influenza vaccine.

• For Canadian residents, each year, in the fall.
• Children under 9 years of age require two doses, one month apart if they have not received influenza vaccine before.
• May be given safely with other vaccines.
  

• Immunization prevents influenza illness in about 70-90% of healthy children and adults.
• Studies involving long-term care residents have shown influenza vaccine to be 50-60% effective in preventing hospitalizations and up to 85% in preventing deaths.
• Effectiveness varies depending on the age and immunity of the person being immunized, and the match between the vaccine given and the influenza strain circulating in the community.
• Antibody protection usually begins within 7-14 days after immunization in the majority of healthy children and adults.
  

• Soreness, redness, swelling or bruising at the injection site; and
• Limited movement of the immunized limb.
• Other reactions may include:
  • headache;
  • fever;
  • muscle aches;
  • loss of appetite;
  • chills;
  • nausea;
  • vomiting;
  • diarrhea; and
  • body rash/redness.
• Oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS) has been reported in past influenza seasons. Tell your doctor or public health nurse if, following influenza vaccination, you have experienced red eyes, respiratory problems (difficulty breathing, cough, wheeze, chest tightness, sore throat) or facial swelling.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) may occur in about 1/1,000,000 immunizations - a clear link has not been accepted or rejected.
• Severe reactions are rare. As with any medicine, vaccines carry a small risk of a serious reaction. These reactions could include difficulty breathing, shock, or death.
  

• Report any adverse or unexpected reactions to your local public health nurse or your doctor as soon as possible.
• Talk to your public health nurse if:
  • you have questions or concerns about your reaction or your child's reaction to immunization.
  • you or your child had to go to your doctor, hospital or health centre with an illness that might be related to immunization.

Your immunization information will be recorded in a computerized system known as the Saskatchewan Immunization Management System (SIMS). Information collected in SIMS may be used to:

• manage immunization records,
• notify you if you or your child needs an immunization,
• and monitor how well vaccines work in preventing vaccine preventable diseases.

Your immunization records may also be shared with health care professionals in order to provide public health services; assist with diagnosis and treatment; and to control the spread of vaccine preventable diseases.

For more information contact:
your local public health office,
OR your physician,
OR the HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002