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Should I get a flu shot?

2021.11.01

Winter is approaching, and it’s the time influenza begins to spread every year.
The outbreak of influenza was very low last year, probably due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but what will happen this year? And should I get a flu shot? There are probably
many people who are anxious about what to do.
As one of the guidelines, the Influenza Committee of the Japanese Society of Infectious
Diseases has proposed considering getting influenza vaccination in the 2021-2022 season.

Why was the influenza epidemic not prevalent in the winter of 2020?

In the winter of last year (2020), there were concerns about a syndemic influenza and coronavirus infection, but as a result, there were few reports of influenza.
This is because infection control measures such as hand hygiene, wearing masks, avoiding the three C’s (Closed spaces, Crowded places, and Close contact) , and restricting the movement of international travellers were effective in preventing influenza infection. These were widely used as measures against corona, as the Infectious Diseases Society Influenza
Committee points out. Also, as is often said, there may have been viral interference between the influenza virus and the new coronavirus.

Will influenza be prevalent in the winter of 2021?

Does that mean that influenza will not spread this winter either?
That doesn’t seem to be the case.
First, the situation in the Southern Hemisphere is helpful in predicting the winter influenza pandemic in the Northern Hemisphere. According to reports from Australia, the 2021 season
is as low as last year. However, it is different in the tropical regions of Asia. For example, in Bangladesh, influenza A was prevalent in the latter half of 2020. In early summer 2021, type
B was prevalent, and in India, type A was prevalent in the summer of 2021.
Therefore, it is feared that the virus stored in these areas may spread the virus all over the world when the movement of people across international borders resumes in the future.
Since the number of people who suffered from influenza last season was extremely small, it is believed that the herd immunity of society as a whole has not been formed.

Influenza vaccination is “aggressive”

For these reasons, the Influenza Committee of the Japanese Society of Infectious Diseases is recommending active administration of influenza vaccine, even in the 2021-2022 season.
By the way, should I get the corona vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time?
The US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) states that simultaneous vaccination is possible in order to efficiently administer vaccines and increase the
vaccination rate, but in Japan, corona vaccines and other vaccines are currently available to be received with a two-week delay between the shots. I’m going to leave it at that. In other words, those who have recently taken the corona vaccine should be inoculated against the flu two weeks later.

Is there a shortage of influenza vaccine?

We have also heard news that the supply of influenza vaccine is low this year.
Therefore, it seems that some people are worried that they may not be able to be vaccinated even if they want to have it.
It is true that it will decrease by about 20% compared to last year, because the supply amount last year was particularly high. It is not less than usual, in fact it is almost the same as usual.
At Medical Prime Takanawa, the Takanawadai Orthopedic Clinic
(https://takanawadai-seikei.com/) on the 5th floor and the Kagayaki Internal Medicine / Diabetes Clinic (https://www.kagayaki-naika.jp/
) on the 6th floor have influenza vaccine.
I am vaccinated. However, it will end as soon as the stock runs out, so please check with each clinic for the status of vaccination.
At Medical Prime Shinkawa, the Hama Ear Nose & Throat Clinic (https://hama-ent.com/) on the 2nd floor and the Hatchobori Kazu Internal Medicine Surgery Clinic (https://www.kazu-cl.com/) on the 3rd floor and 4th floor. Influenza vaccinations are provided at the Tokyo Hatchobori Dermatology and Plastic Surgery (https://tokyo-h-hihuka.com/) on the 6th and 7th floors of the Hatchobori Sato Clinic. However, it will end as soon as the stock runs out, so please check with each clinic for the status of vaccination.
At Medical Prime Nihonbashi Kodenmacho, at Saito Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular
Clinic (https://saito-heart.com/) on the 3rd floor and Higashinihonbashi Ladies Clinic (https://higashinihonbashi-lc.com/) on the 4th floor. I am vaccinated against influenza.
However, it will end as soon as the stock runs out, so please check with each clinic for the status of vaccination.
At Medical Prime Kanda, we vaccinate against influenza at the Kanda Station East Exit Clinic (https://kanda.clinic/) on the 2nd floor and the Kanda Women’s Clinic (https://kandawomens.com/) on the 6th floor. .. However, it will end as soon as the stock runs out, so please check with each clinic for the status of vaccination.
◎ Reference
Japan Society for Infectious Diseases “Concept of influenza vaccination in 2021-2022
season”
Https://www.kansensho.or.jp/modules/guidelines/index.php?content_id=44
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare “Vaccine Supply Status”
Https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/kenkou/kekkaku-kansenshou
03/index_00002.html

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