[Reporter Cai Kaiheng/Taipei Report] With the boom in overseas travel for autumn maple viewing, New Year's Eve, and Christmas, many people are fully looking forward to overseas trips, but they often ignore that autumn and winter are at the peak of global influenza and respiratory infectious diseases. Wu Yifan, an attending physician at the Department of Family Medicine, Renai Campus, Taipei City United Hospital, appeals that immunity against influenza does not occur immediately after vaccination, and it takes about two weeks for the body to activate the immune response; people should get vaccinated as early as possible during the influenza epidemic period or when the vaccine is launched, and do not wait until a pandemic occurs or two or three days before going abroad to rush to get vaccinated, otherwise they will face a window of protection.
Wu Yifan pointed out that influenza viruses are prevalent all year round, but the prevalence rate is higher when the weather is cold, which is why autumn is an excellent time to get vaccinated. Influenza vaccine is an inactivated virus vaccine made by extracting viral components. When the vaccine components enter the human body, white blood cells will first identify and attack them, and then activate specialized lymphocytes to specifically produce antibodies against the virus. This process takes time just like factory production. It usually takes about a week to start producing antibodies and about two weeks to form sufficient protection. So don’t have the misconception that you can get antibodies immediately after vaccination.
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Wu Yifan pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) will predict and select the most popular virus strains based on epidemiological data. Due to the emergence of new influenza virus strain mutations since last year, the influenza vaccines administered this year (including two influenza A virus strains: H1N1 and H3N2, and an influenza B virus strain) have been fully updated according to WHO recommendations to accurately combat existing circulating viruses, providing better coverage and protection.
Generally, the antibody protection of standard influenza vaccines lasts for about three to six months. However, because it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies after vaccination, if people are urgently vaccinated three to five days before going abroad, it will be too late to produce defenses for short-term travel. However, for longer-term trips, although there will be a window period for antibody production in the first few days, there will still be a chance to exert a protective effect after the body produces antibodies.
In addition to the flu vaccine, Wu Yifan recommended that high-risk groups simultaneously evaluate the vaccination of the new crown vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine. As the new coronavirus continues to mutate, even if you have received multiple doses of vaccine in the past, your protection against new virus strains may still be insufficient. Therefore, your body's antibodies should be updated regularly. If there are no serious complications or side effects from past vaccinations, it is recommended that you vaccinate with the flu vaccine at the same time and at different sites.
Wu Yifan also mentioned that the pneumococcal vaccine targets bacteria, and the mutation speed is not as fast as that of viruses. In order to provide the elderly with more complete protection, Taiwan's current publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine has been fully upgraded to provide the latest 20- or 21-price vaccine. The pneumococcal vaccine has no seasonal restrictions. If the elderly need it, they can go get it before the flu vaccine starts. In terms of the public-funded vaccination schedule, the first phase of publicly-funded vaccinations for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines will be available from October 1, covering the elderly over 65 years old, patients with high-risk chronic diseases, medical and epidemic prevention personnel, young children and students, etc.; the second phase will be opened from November, covering people aged 50 to 64 without high-risk chronic diseases.
If people are worried about developing flu-like symptoms while traveling overseas, they can prepare common medications such as antihistamines (rhose medicine), antipyretics and analgesics before going abroad. Most viral infections still mainly relieve symptoms in the early stages. However, if severe symptoms such as persistent high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, or even changes in consciousness occur, these are serious warning signs and should not be taken lightly.
Wu Yifan reminded that in the past, there were regrettable cases in which patients delayed diagnosis and treatment because of the inconvenience of seeking medical treatment abroad, thinking that they could recover with a short rest, which eventually turned into fatal and severe disease. Especially if your body temperature drops after taking antipyretics but your body is still extremely weak and uncomfortable, it means your condition is relatively serious. At this time, do not rely solely on the ready-made medicines. Even if you are in a foreign country, you should immediately seek professional diagnosis and treatment from a local medical institution to avoid delaying the golden opportunity for treatment.
