Flu is an infectious disease that anyone can catch. The causative agent of influenza is a virus that passes from infected people into the nasopharynx of others.
Today, the only reliable way to protect yourself from the disease and complications after it is to be vaccinated with a live attenuated vaccine. Each person, visiting the vaccination office in the clinic at their place of residence, can choose the drug that they consider the most effective and suitable for themselves.
Today in Kuban clinics and mobile complexes you can vaccinate with the following vaccines: Sovigripp and Ultrix Quadri. To do this, you must have your passport with you and undergo a short examination by a general practitioner, who will confirm that you do not currently have a fever or other conditions characteristic of the disease. Only in this case will the vaccine really protect a person from the flu.
According to Rospotrebnadzor, last year 76 million people were vaccinated against influenza – approximately 52 percent of all Russians.
Seven main questions about vaccination
Alexander Goryachev, a methodologist at the Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention of the Ministry of Health of the Krasnodar Territory, answered the most common questions from readers of Kuban News about vaccinations.
1. When to get vaccinated?
– It’s best before the cold starts – in September-October. However, even in November or December you can get vaccinated. The main thing is that the body is not infected with the influenza virus at this moment. Otherwise, vaccination may not be effective.
2. Who needs to get vaccinated?
– Children from six months to 18 years, students, people over 60 years of age and representatives of professions that involve daily communication with a large number of people (teachers, doctors, utility workers, public transport drivers, etc.).
3. When does the vaccine start to “work”?
– The primary production of antibodies in response to the administered vaccine occurs approximately two to three weeks after the injection. A person will be maximally protected from virus attacks after a month.
4. Is it true that the vaccine is a live influenza virus? Will I be a carrier of the infection after vaccination?
– Your fears are in vain. Injecting a vaccine into the body cannot cause disease, but by producing protective antibodies, it stimulates the immune system to fight infection.
5. Are there people for whom vaccination is contraindicated?
– Yes. This primarily affects infants under six months of age. Also at risk are people who have chronic diseases in the acute stage (for example, seasonal allergies to pollen) and who have increased sensitivity to egg white (if it is part of the vaccine).
6. Do I need to somehow prepare for vaccination? For example, not to eat food that can cause allergies or not to drink alcohol?
– You should never drink alcohol. Ideally. This bad habit shortens your life. As for preparing for the flu vaccination, there is no need to take any special actions. The main thing is to try to protect yourself from getting a cold or flu.
7. Is there any alternative to the flu vaccine?
– The effectiveness of the flu vaccine is incomparably higher than all non-specific medications that can be taken during the winter months: immunomodulators, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, traditional medicine, and so on.
Flu prevention rules
Get a flu shot before the flu season begins.
Try to be in crowded places and public transport less often and for less time.
Use a medical mask in crowded places.
Avoid close contact with people who have signs of illness, such as sneezing or coughing.
Regularly wash your hands thoroughly with soap, especially after going outside or using public transport.
Rinse your nasal cavity, especially after going outside or traveling on public transport.
Regularly ventilate the room you are in.
Try to do wet cleaning more often in the room you are in.
Humidify the air in the room you are in.
Eat as many foods as possible that contain vitamin C (cranberries, lingonberries, bell peppers, lemon, etc.).
Eat as many dishes as possible with garlic and onions added.
On the recommendation of a doctor, use medications and agents that enhance immunity.
If there are people with the flu in your family or work team, start taking antiviral drugs for preventive purposes (in consultation with your doctor, taking into account contraindications and according to the instructions for use of the drug).
Lead a healthy lifestyle, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
Where can residents of the Krasnodar Territory get a flu shot?
There are seven of them in total in the region: four in Krasnodar, two in Novorossiysk and one in Sochi.
The points are located at the following addresses
Krasnodar:
st. Krasnaya, 122 (Main City Square), open on weekdays from 9.00 to 18.00;
st. Krasnaya, 35 (square named after G. Zhukov);
st. Tramvaynaya, 2 (Sunny Island Park);
st. Kolkhoznaya, 86 (Chistyakovskaya Grove),
open on weekends from 9.00 to 17.00.
Sochi:
st. Sovetskaya, 26, daily from 10.00 to 16.00.
Novorossiysk:
Shopping center “Red Square”, two mobile points are open from 9.00 to 18.00;
st. Heroev Parasantnikov, 2, from 9.00 to 15.00.
To visit the vaccination complex, you must have a passport with you!
Only adults are vaccinated at mobile sites. A child (6 months and older) can only be vaccinated against the flu in a children’s clinic.
Hotline of the Ministry of Health of the Krasnodar Territory: 8 (800) 2000-366.
“KN” reference
The vaccination campaign not only helps prevent a flu epidemic, but also significantly reduces the burden on regional medical facilities. Experts assure that immunizing 60 percent of the population will be enough to solve both problems.
Vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee that a person will not contract the flu. However, in vaccinated people the disease is much milder.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year the influenza epidemic claims from 290 to 650 thousand lives, and in total, from 3 to 5 million people suffer from severe influenza every year.
2023-09-15 08:17:16
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