What is Influenza?
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. Infection can cause mild to moderate symptoms and death in some cases. This virus resides in bodily fluids (saliva and mucus), the nose, the throat, and the lungs. Influenza virus types A and B are common causes of infections during the flu season.
When is Flu Season?
Influenza viruses can be detected year-round in the United States and the exact time and duration of the flu season vary each year, but the flu season often begins around October, peaks from December to February, and lasts until May. Flu season occurs during colder months due to colder and drier air drying mucus membranes, decreasing the body's defense against respiratory infections when folks are indoors often.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of the Flu?
Common Signs and Symptoms of the Flu |
Cough |
Fatigue |
Fever or chills |
Headache |
Sore throat |
Runny or stuffy nose |
Muscle or body aches |
Vomiting and diarrhea |
Who is at Higher Risk of Flu Complications?
Adults 65 and older
Children 5 years and younger
Adults with chronic conditions such as:
Asthma
Heart Disease & Stroke
Diabetes
Chronic Kidney Disease
Pregnant women
People with Disabilities
Cancer patients
Patients with HIV/AIDS
Incidence and Prevalence of the Flu:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu was associated with an estimated 9 million illnesses, 4 million medical visits, 100,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths from 2021-2022.
Transmission of the Flu:
Influenza spreads from person to person through droplets produced while coughing, sneezing, and talking. Influenza viruses can also be transmitted by touching contaminated objects and surfaces. The viruses, depending on temperature and humidity, can live up to 1-2 days on hard surfaces compared to 8-12 hours on porous surfaces like clothing.
How to Prevent the Flu:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
If you are sick, limit close contact with others
Cover coughs and sneezes
Wash hands with soap and water
Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects touched often
Annual flu vaccine
What are the Flu Vaccine Options?
There are a variety of flu vaccines available (given once a year) that protect against the most common influenza viruses during the flu season. For people younger than 65 years of age, there are inactivated, recombinant, and live attenuated influenza vaccine options with similar efficacy. People 65 years and older are recommended to receive either Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent Recombinant vaccine, or Fluad Quadrivalent Adjuvanted vaccine.
Flu vaccines for the 2024-2025 season are either trivalent or quadrivalent, made to protect against three or four different flu viruses. However, based on our research, there are currently no animal-free flu shots available.
Available Flu Vaccines
Trade Name | Manufacturer | Animal-Free (Yes/No) | Vaccine Type | Route | Dose & Age Indication |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afluria (2024/2025) influenza injection, suspension | Seqirus | No (Egg proteins) | IIV4 Standard-dose, egg-based | IM |
|
Fluad (2024/2025) adjuvanted influenza injection, suspension | Seqirus | No (Egg proteins) | Standard-dose, egg-based with MF59 adjuvant | IM | 0.5 ml prefilled syringe: 65 years and older |
Fluarix (2024/2025) influenza virus vaccine suspension | GlaxoSmithKline | No (Egg proteins) | IIV4 Standard-dose, egg-based | IM | 0.5 ml: 6 months and older |
Flublok (2024/2025) trivalent northern hemisphere influenza recombinant injection | Sanofi Pasteur | No (Insect cell line) | RIV4 Recombinant HA | IM | 0.5 ml prefilled syringe: 18 years and older |
Flucelvax (2024/2025) influenza injection, suspension | Seqirus | No (Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells) | IIV4 Standard-dose, cell culture-based | IM |
|
FluLaval (2024/2025) influenza virus vaccine suspension | GlaxoSmithKline | No (Egg proteins) | IIV4 Standard-dose, egg-based | IM | 0.5 ml: 6 months and older |
FluMist Quadrivalent (2024/2025) - influenza vaccine live intranasal spray | AstraZeneca | No (Egg proteins, Gelatin) | LAIV4 egg-based | Nasal | 0.2 ml prefilled single-use intranasal spray: 2-49 years |
Fluzone (2024/2025) quadrivalent northern hemisphere influenza injection, suspension
Fluzone (2024) quadrivalent southern hemisphere influenza injection, suspension
Fluzone (2024/2025) trivalent northern hemisphere influenza injection, suspension | Sanofi Pasteur | No (Egg proteins) | IIV4 Standard-dose, egg-based | IM |
|
Fluzone (2024/2025) high dose northern hemisphere influenza injection, suspension
Fluzone (2024/2025) high dose quadrivalent northern hemisphere influenza injection, suspension
Fluzone (2024) high dose quadrivalent southern hemisphere influenza injection, suspension | Sanofi Pasteur | No (Egg proteins) | IIV4 High-dose, egg-based | IM |
Flu Vaccine Side Effects
Common side effects that may occur after receiving a flu shot include soreness, redness, swelling, headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. Side effects are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Who should be vaccinated?
Ages 6 months and older are recommended to receive an influenza vaccine every season.
Who should not be vaccinated?
Factors determining a person’s suitability for vaccination include age, health condition(s), and allergies to the vaccine or its ingredients.
Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to receive a vaccination.
People who have severe allergic reactions to flu vaccines.
Should pregnant women get vaccinated?
Yes, all pregnant women are recommended to get a nonlive attenuated vaccine as they are safe for the fetus, protects the mother, and will protect the baby in the first few months after birth.
When should I get vaccinated?
September and October are currently ideal months to be vaccinated.
Where can I get a flu vaccine?
Visit Vaccines.gov to locate a vaccination center near you.
The flu vaccine is offered at:
Almost all doctors’ offices and clinics
Pharmacies
Health departments
Urgent care clinics
Some schools and workplaces
Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?
The flu vaccine is recommended annually due to the virus rapidly changing and individuals' waning immunity against the virus over time.
Does the flu vaccine work right away?
The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to develop antibodies in the body and provide protection.
Additional Treatment Options and Immune Support:
1. Flu Antiviral Drugs
Antiviral drugs are an option to treat an infection if started within one to two days of the onset of flu symptoms. We at VeganMed are happy to share there are 3 verified animal-free medications for flu treatment!
FDA-Approved Antiviral Medications
Drug Name | Animal-Free (Yes/No) | Dose | Formulation | Duration of Therapy | Age Indications | Side Effects |
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) | Capsules: No Oral suspension: Yes | 13 years or older: 75 mg 1 to 12 years: weight based 2 weeks to less than 1 year: 3 mg/kg | Capsules and liquid suspension | Twice daily for 5 days | 2 weeks and older | Nausea, vomiting, headaches |
Zanamivir (Relenza) | No | 5 mg blister dose per inhalation | Oral powder inhalation | 2 inhalations twice daily for 5 days | 7 years and older | Dizziness, irritation of the nose, joint pain, bronchospasms |
Peramivir (Rapivab) | Yes | 600 mg IV infusion over 15 minutes | Intravenous (200 mg/20 ml single use vials) | Single dose | 6 months or older | Diarrhea |
Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) | Tablets: No Oral suspension: Yes | <80 kg: 40 mg as a single dose ≥80 kg: 80 mg as a single dose | Tablets and oral suspension | Single dose | 5 years and older | Diarrhea, nausea, headache |
2. Vitamin C and Zinc Supplements
Vitamin C and zinc supplements have shown to be effective when initiated within 24 hours of flu symptom onset and continued for at least 5 days or until symptoms disappear.
Animal-free Vitamin C and Zinc options from the VeganMed marketplace:
Conclusion:
Influenza can lead to serious complications and worsen pre-existing health conditions. Flu vaccines are a great way to prevent infection and spread. Flu vaccines are safe and have been proven to protect against the most likely annual strains of the influenza virus. Although no verified animal-free flu vaccines are available, there are verified animal-free treatment options.
Co-authored by: Sania Waheed
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Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on VeganMed is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product.
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