The flu is a constant ailment that circulates throughout the world every year. It is much more infectious than the common cold and more severe in its symptoms and effects on the human body. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu caused over 41 million illnesses between 2010 and 2020, 710,000 hospitalisations and 52,000 deaths. As you can see, the flu is not a disease to be brushed off lightly, as the common cold often is.
Onsite vaccinations are typically one of the most effective methods to protect a large group of people en masse and prevent the flu from causing them serious harm or spreading. It can be serious or even fatal, especially for chronic diseases or other ailments such as Asthma. Consequently, onsite vaccinations are a proven method of preventing severe flu symptoms.
Here are the key facts, as we know them, about onsite vaccinations for the flu in 2022.
Onsite vaccinations are injected into the body to develop antibodies. These antibodies protect the body from further exposure to influenza viruses. In detail, when administering flu shots during an onsite vaccination program, we expose the body to small parts of the virus. The immune system responds with cells called B Lymphocytes, which create antibodies. These antibodies help to protect the body from further exposure to specific viruses, such as Influenza. It can take days to weeks for antibodies to form, but when they do, they give the body a protective defence for the foreseeable future. However, the influenza strain can carry many strains, making it difficult to be protected for extended periods (years).
Many Influenza strains circulate, and these often change every year, making it challenging to provide immunization jabs that provide long-term protection.
In 2022, the current strains being protected against by onsite vaccinations include:
? a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus
? – an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus
? – an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
Government entities typically recommend onsite vaccinations for those six months and older who wish to be protected against Influenza.
Receiving onsite vaccinations is particularly important for those with serious health conditions that could be severely affected by influenza infection and its complications. These serious health conditions could be Asthma, immunocompromising diseases and cancer.
We hope this blog has outlined the key facts about onsite vaccinations and how they can protect against Influenza, a disease that is often mistaken for mild.
At Corporate Care, we provide onsite vaccinations to businesses for their employees. This way, businesses can protect their workers against the latest circulating strains of Influenza.
Introducing Aitor Aspiazu, your go-to flu expert and a Registered Nurse accredited by AHPRA (NMW0001159845). Boasting over two decades of experience in healthcare, Aitor has navigated everything from Emergency Departments to Corporate Wellness Programs—and yes, he’s even battled the flu himself. As the Founder and Lead Nurse Consultant at Corporate Care, he’s the driving force behind workplace health and well-being. No longer in scrubs, he’s now at the forefront of healthcare innovation, leveraging Artificial Intelligence and automation to revolutionise workplace health and well-being. As the Founder and Lead Nurse Consultant at Corporate Care, he’s the visionary behind cutting-edge flu vaccination programs that keep businesses running smoothly. Off-duty, he’s a proud dad and a Padel addict who represented Australia in the World Padel Championship. Trust Aitor; he’s got your back when it comes to flu prevention and modern healthcare solutions.