Member of the Turkish National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association, Assoc. Dr. İlknur Külhaş Çelik answered the curious question by underlining the need to be careful against the flu, which spreads rapidly especially in schools during the winter season.
“Vaccines are prepared anew every year with WHO recommendations against mutations.”
Member of the Turkish National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association, Assoc. Dr. İlknur Külhaş Çelik stated that the vaccines were introduced to the market between October and November, so the flu vaccine should be repeated every year, regardless of whether the flu vaccine was administered in previous years. Stating that vaccines can be administered safely at all ages, provided that they are older than six months, Çelik continued as follows: “If it is the first time for children between 6 months and 8 years of age, it is recommended to administer two doses of vaccine, one month apart, and then a single dose once a year. In other age groups, a single dose is administered once a year. "Since the effect of the vaccine begins after approximately 2 weeks, it should be administered just before the flu season begins, preferably in October-November."
Stating that there are three types of flu vaccines, Çelik explained the vaccines as follows: “Inactive (dead), live and recombinant (produced with DNA technology). There is only an inactive vaccine in Turkey, and this vaccine does not contain live virus. Because some flu vaccines are produced in chicken eggs, they contain very low amounts of eggs. However, this does not constitute an obstacle to flu vaccination for children with egg allergy. Like other vaccines, it should be administered in healthcare institutions experienced in the treatment of anaphylaxis (allergic shock) and under the supervision of a physician. "Patients who have reported allergic reactions after previously receiving the flu vaccine should be evaluated by an allergist before vaccination."