HCV, Influenza and You: Flu Shots Explained

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Read current articles about HCV and the flu under this label: Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Monday, September 4, 2017
Baby Boomers - What About HCV, Vaccinations, Liver Health & All That Jazz
With the flu season on its way, the focus today is on vaccinations for adults with HCV, risk associated with the use of acetaminophen, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). 

2013
HCV, Influenza and You: Flu Shots Explained
Most people who end up with the flu can look forward to a week or two of fever, chills, sore throat, coughing, feeling extremely tired and achy all over. But according to the CDC the flu can be much worse for children under the age of two, the elderly over 65 and people with weakened immune systems, anemia, severe asthma, diabetes and chronic lung, kidney or liver disorders. The latter includes people with chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis and especially liver transplant recipients.

Chronic hepatitis C can increase your risk of complications from the flu, including respiratory illness requiring hospitalization which could become potentially fatal. People living with chronic hepatitis C infection, cirrhosis, liver transplant recipients and most chronic liver diseases are strongly urged to get vaccinated against the flu.

Flu Vaccine and HCV Treatment
Should people on treatment be vaccinated and how effective is the flu vaccine during HCV therapy? A 2012 research article found online in the November issue of PLOS ONE evaluated the 2009 "(H1N1) A" vaccine for effectiveness in HCV patients undergoing therapy with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin against a cohort of HCV patients not receiving treatment, and compared it with healthy subjects.

Infections During HCV Therapy - Flu Vaccine Recommended
The infection rate among non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis c patient receiving current antiviral treatment is 5–30%. This high incidence of infections has been associated to neutrophil impairment due to pegylated-interferon more than to decreased neutrophil count. Given that 20–40% of infections are of the upper respiratory tract, influenza vaccination should be recommended in these high-risk patients.

Another interesting fact is a reported one-third of participants in the study refused to be vaccinated; The main arguments against were doubts about vaccine safety and side effects, and concern over vaccine efficacy.

Conclusion
In conclusion the "(H1N1) A" vaccine seemed not to influence the HCV therapy response (sample size was too small to draw definite conclusions). The tolerance of the influenza vaccine was satisfactory in the study group undergoing HCV therapy, and finally the vaccine response appeared to be the same in all groups.
Read the full text here.....

2013 Flu Season
The upcoming season's flu vaccine will protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes both influenza A viruses (H1N1) and (H3N2) which causes more cases and more severe illness, and two influenza B viruses that is less common but also circulates in multiple forms. The new vaccines include protection against a second strain of influenza B, which experts expect will prevent the vast majority of type B infections.

Nasal Spray (FluMist) Vaccine - Should You?
The CDC stresses the importance of being vaccinated this flu season and has no preference for one flu vaccine over the other, but clarifies some vaccines are intended for specific age groups or people who have underlying heath issues. For instance people with chronic diseases again such as "liver disease" or liver transplant patients should not be given the nasal spray (FluMist). The spray vaccine is approved for use only in healthy people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Flu Shots Explained

The video and text from "KFOR  News" in Oklahoma City, explains this years flu vaccines.

Video Source

If you get a flu shot, you’re 60 percent less likely to get the flu. And if you do happen to get it, you’re likely to have a milder case if you’ve been inoculated. The flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and kills on average about 24,000. Here’s the rundown on the different vaccines that are available this flu season:

Standard flu shot: This tried-and-true shot that’s been around for more than 30 years protects against three strains of influenza, and is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. This year’s version protects against the two common Type A strains H1N1 and H3N2, and one strain of Type B influenza virus

Quadrivalent vaccine: New this year, this vaccine that protects against four types of influenza – the same three strains as the regular flu shot, plus an additional B-strain virus that primarily affects kids. Available to everyone 6 months and older, the quadrivalent shot will be available in limited supply this year, therefore it’s primarily recommended for children.

Fluzone High-Dose: Designed for seniors age 65 and older, this vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen – the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody – as a regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune response for better protection. The manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, says its research shows the shot to be 24 percent more effective in seniors.

Fluzone Intradermal: If you’re squeamish about needles, the intradermal shot is a nice option because it uses a tiny micro-needle to inject the vaccine just under the skin, rather than deeper in the muscle like standard flu shots. This year’s version will protect against three strains of influenza, and is recommended to those ages 18 to 64.

FluBlok: Created for people who are allergic to eggs who have had to skip their yearly flu shot. FluBlok is the first egg-free flu vaccine developed through cell technology from three flu strains cultured in caterpillar cells. This shot, however, is only recommended to younger adults between the ages of 18 and 49.

FluMist: This nasal spray vaccine protects against four strains of influenza, just like the quadrivalent shot, but it’s only recommended for those between age 2 and 49.
It’s also important to know that most health insurance plans including Medicare will cover the cost of any flu shot. But if you’re not covered by insurance, you can expect to pay around $25 to $35 for a standard, intradermal or quadrivalent flu shot, or $50 to $60 for a shot of the high-dose or flublock.
Source

Additional information on the nasal spray vaccines

*All nasal spray vaccines for the 2013-14 season will provide protection against four flu viruses: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus and two influenza B viruses

*For whom can the intranasal influenza vaccine be used?
LAIV (FluMist) is currently approved for use only for healthy non-pregnant persons ages 2 through 49 years. Many of these persons are among the groups that are targeted for vaccination, including healthcare personnel (excluding those in close contact with severely immunosuppressed persons during periods when the immunocompromised person requires a protective environment) and other persons in close contact with high-risk groups, including household contacts of high-risk persons, contacts of children from birth through age 59 months, and contacts of adults age 50 years and older. In addition, any healthy, nonpregnant person between the ages 2 through 49 years who wants to reduce their risk of influenza or of transmitting it to others can be vaccinated with LAIV.
Source * CDC

*Should people with HIV/AIDS receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine [LAIV] (FluMist)?
No. Persons with HIV/AIDS and persons with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) are not recommended to receive the LAIV (FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) contains a weakened form of the live influenza virus. LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use only among healthy* people 2-49 years of age† who are not pregnant.
Source * CDC HIV/AIDS and the Flu

*Should the nasal spray flu vaccine be given to patients with chronic diseases?
No. The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use only in healthy people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Source *CDC Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine [LAIV]


Links
Learn more by visiting the CDC's website.

Vaccines
General information about influenza vaccination

Who is at high risk for developing flu-related complications?

Variant Flu: H3N2 Virus
H3N2v and recent outbreaks. See a case count table.

Read current articles about HCV and the flu under this label: Seasonal Flu Vaccine