For an influenza vaccine to be effective in time, it should be given in good time, i.e. before the influenza season begins. In Poland, the flu season begins as early as November, with the peak of illness falling at the turn of February and March. Therefore, it is best to vaccinate in September or October.
How fast does the vaccine work?
After using the vaccine - i.e., injecting the syringe into the forearm
- full immunity, so-called systemic occurs after 10-15 days after vaccination.
In a word, full protection against influenza A viruses, guaranteed by the vaccine manufacturer, we achieve thanks to vaccination after about 2 weeks.
Do all vaccines work with a similar delay?
Yes! This time is necessary for the inactivated influenza viruses in the vaccine to be able to produce immune immunity in the body. In other words, this time - about two weeks - is needed to create natural antibodies that defend the body against influenza viruses. Therefore, the principle of overtaking by 2 weeks the date of emergence of the risk of potential infection with infection concerns all available influenza vaccines.
What happens if we are late with vaccination against influenza virus infection, even for a week?
If we are late with vaccination and we are infected with influenza, the vaccine will no longer be effective.
How long does the vaccine last after it is given?
Resistance of the body to influenza after vaccination lasts for 6 - 12 months. This means that we are immunized for the entire flu season, until the next virus arrives. The composition of the vaccine is adapted annually to the recommendations of the World Health Organization that predicts with high precision which viruses are dangerous in a given season.
Vaccinations for those traveling around the world.
The progress of civilization not only enables fast and mass travels all over the world, but also forces vaccination against influenza and many other diseases. So you have to know that in the tropics, the flu alert lasts for a whole year. As well as the knowledge of geography lessons at school, when the flu season ends in the northern hemisphere - in the south, eg in Australia and Argentina, an outbreak of influenza may just start.
