September 8, 2021 | Written By: Hidayah Ropa
What is Influenza?
Influenza is a viral infectious disease that attacks the human respiratory system - nose, throat and lungs. The symptoms of this disease are usually nonspecific and are often taken lightly as a common cold. Symptoms of this viral infection may include:
This viral infection can also be serious when it causes lung infections, known as Pneumonia. Patients with pneumonia will have difficulty in breathing due to poor lung function and may lead to death.
Influenza virus is a more subtle organism than bacteria. It is easily spread through liquid droplets either from saliva or runny nose when coughing or sneezing, especially if you are not wearing face masks or standing too close with other people during a conversation.
The rate of spread of influenza virus can occur in a short time and can lead to epidemics such as bird flu in 2004 and swine flu in 2009. This proves that influenza needs to be taken seriously.
Types of Influenza
There are 4 types of influenza viruses that are currently identified, which are:
Each type of influenza is also divided into their respective subtypes, for example, H1N1 known as swine flu belongs to the Influenza virus A.
What is the FluQuadri Vaccine?
There are many types of influenza vaccines on the market including the FluQuadri vaccine, Flubio vaccine and also the Vaxigrip vaccine.
FluQuadri is one of the latest influenza vaccines containing 4 subtypes of viruses that have been weakened to build antibodies, to fight and protect the body from the viral subtypes of Influenza A, Influenza B, Influenza C, and Influenza D.
In contrast to the Vaxigrip vaccine which is also an influenza vaccine, it has only 3 types of viral subtypes compared to FluQuadri vaccine that give protection against the 4 strains of virus.
The effectiveness of vaccines in treating influenza is undeniable. Vaccination is an effective invention to protect humans from infectious disease. Think you know about vaccines? Find out here.
According to data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), deaths caused by Influenza and pneumonia have reached 13,913 or 9.88% of total deaths in 2018.
This figure is likely to increase in the future if the influenza vaccine is not utilized more comprehensively by the community. Due to the rapid rate of influenza mutations, influenza vaccines are renewed twice a year to ensure that the vaccines released are suitable for the current virus.
Who Should Get FluQuadri Vaccine?
Here is a table of suggestions for the FluQuadri vaccine for adults and infants aged 6 months and above according to the prescribed dose.
Age | Dos | Schedule |
6 months - 35 months | One or two doses, 0.25ml each | If two doses, the injection must be 1 month apart |
36 months - 8 years | One or two doses, 0.5ml each | If two doses, the injection must be 1 month apart |
9 years and above | One dose, 0.5ml | |
Dosage depends on prior vaccination and according to KKM stipulations |
This vaccine will be injected into:
Can breastfeeding and pregnant women get the FluQuadri vaccine?
FluQuadri vaccine is not suitable for breastfeeding women.
As for pregnant women, this vaccine is not harmful to pregnancy. Studies show that the injection of this vaccine into female rabbits does not affect pregnancy. However, pregnant women should talk to their gynecologist before taking any injections or medication during pregnancy.
This vaccine also does not affect female fertility.
Conditions for taking injections and patient exemptions for the FluQuadri vaccine
FluQuadri Side Effects
Side effects of FluQuadri vaccine may include:
It is not something to worry about if the symptoms are not prolonged.
The more serious side effects are:
Please refer to the nearest hospital for further treatment immediately if you experience the above symptoms.
Although injections of this vaccine have side effects, they are actually very rare. Taking this vaccination is highly recommended because the benefits are enormous compared to the risk of side effects of this vaccine injection.
Is FluQuadri Vaccine Expensive?
In 2020, the price of the FluQuadri vaccine and previous vaccine generation is higher than Vaxigrip because it has 4 types of virus strains that are weakened to provide more protection and lower the risk of influenza infection. In 2015, most markets sold the FluQuadri vaccine at RM43 - RM50. However, the price of this vaccine has soared to RM75 - RM100 or more due to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Conclusion
The FluQuadri vaccine and other influenza vaccines are the alternatives to curb deaths due to these viral infectious diseases every year around the world. Without any vaccination, we will see the situation as this epidemic of COVID-19. Therefore, for those who can afford it, taking this vaccine is highly recommended to provide protection to yourself and your family from the influenza virus throughout the year. Speak to a doctor to know more about influenza vaccines!
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