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Who is the flu vaccine for? Who is entitled to receive it for free?
There are several categories invited to be vaccinated and for which the vaccine is free. Let us proceed in order following the indications of the Ministry of Health: women who at the beginning of the epidemic season are pregnant and in the “postpartum” period, subjects from 6 months to 65 years who suffer from diseases that increase the risk of complications. flu, people 65 years of age and over, children and adolescents on long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, at risk of Reye’s syndrome in case of influenza infection, people of any age admitted to long-term care, family members and contacts (adults and children) of subjects at high risk of complications (regardless of whether the subject at risk has been vaccinated or not), doctors and health personnel, police forces, firefighters, breeders and animal transport workers, veterinarians, blood donors.
And the other categories? Where can you get vaccinated and how much does it cost?
If you do not belong to any of the indicated groups, you will have to buy the vaccine at the pharmacy (available from October to January), so that your GP can administer it to you. The Health Ministry suggests continuing vaccination at the end of November, as it takes two weeks to develop protective antibodies against the virus. The cost of the vaccine varies, in most cases it is between 14 and 25 euros per dose.
Can immunosuppressed people also get vaccinated?
The seasonal influenza vaccine does not contain live viruses, only the surface antigens of the influenza virus; therefore, even in immunosuppressed people (as a result of immunosuppressive therapies or as a result of other pathologies) the administration of the influenza vaccine is safe; Among other things, the circular dedicated to the prevention of seasonal influenza expressly designates people with congenital and acquired diseases that involve a lack of antibody production and those with drug- or HIV-induced immunosuppression among the recipients of the vaccination offer.
Is there a risk of getting the flu from the same vaccine?
Inactivated vaccines contain killed virus or parts of it (hemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface antigens, viral subunits) that cannot cause disease. Live virus-based vaccines (not used in Italy) contain the viral element, but it has been attenuated so it cannot cause disease. In both cases, the administration of the vaccine can cause mild side effects characterized by symptoms similar to that of the flu, but much less marked.
Who should not get vaccinated?
The vaccine should not be given to children younger than six months (due to the lack of controlled clinical studies demonstrating the safety of the vaccine in these age groups). Vaccination of the mother and other members of the family is a possible alternative to indirectly protect them. Even subjects who have experienced anaphylactic-type reactions to a previous vaccination or to one of the components of the vaccine should not do this. In addition, a moderate or severe acute illness, with or without fever, is a temporary contraindication to vaccination, which should be postponed after recovery.
Is the vaccine mandatory?
No, it is not required, but it is strongly recommended for the categories above. Lazio TAR recently canceled a regional ordinance that made influenza vaccination mandatory for people over 65 years of age.
Who do I contact to get the vaccine?
Each Region and Autonomous Province establishes the structures responsible for vaccination. In addition to the vaccination services of the ASL Prevention Departments, free choice general practitioners and pediatricians also participate in vaccination activities.
Can the vaccine also be manufactured in pharmacies?
Some Regions are moving in this direction. In Lazio (where the administration begins on October 15) pharmacies can sell it and in those cases where there are technical requirements related to adequate facilities, equipment and personnel, they can also administer it.
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