Flu Vaccine

An annual flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your chance of getting the flu. The vaccine offers protection from seasonal flu for 8 months.

The best time to get vaccinated is in October and November; however, getting a vaccination in later months can still be beneficial. In Southern Nevada, flu season usually peaks in February.

Get Vaccinated

The Southern Nevada Health District offers flu vaccinations. There are no anticipated vaccine shortages this season.

Public Health Centers

Flu shots will be available in the fall.

Cost

The flu vaccination is $30. Pneumonia vaccine is also available for $45.

Methods of payment include: cash, Medicare Part B, Medicare Railroad Part B, and Medicaid. Patients must present their insurance or Medicaid card at the time of service.

Types of Vaccine

We offer two types of vaccine, the standard flu shot and the inhaled FluMist vaccine. FluMist is only available at the Ravenholt Public Health Center.

1. The standard flu vaccine (flu shot) uses killed flu viruses to help the body build immunity.
   • Almost everyone older than 6 months of age can receive the standard flu vaccine including people with chronic medical conditions such as:
     • Arthritis
     • Asthma
     • Cancer
     • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
     • Diabetes
     • Dialysis patients
     • Emphysema
     • Heart disease and stroke
     • HIV/AIDS
     • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
     • Transplant patients
   • The viruses included in the vaccine change each year based on the viruses that are expected to be circulating.
   • This type of flu vaccine cannot make you sick.
     
     
2. The nasal-spray flu vaccine uses a live, weakened form of the flu virus that grows only in the nose and throat.
   • Since this is a live virus vaccine that can cause mild illness, it is approved only for healthy people between 5 and 49 years of age.
   • The viruses included in the vaccine change each year based on the viruses that are expected to be circulating.
   • Pregnant women may not receive this type of vaccine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do flu vaccines work?

Flu vaccines use killed or weakened forms of flu viruses to stimulate production of antibodies in the body. Once your body makes enough antibodies, it is protected against flu infection.

Flu vaccine gives protection for approximately 8 months.

Why do I need a flu vaccination every year?

Flu viruses change from year to year, which means two things.

1. You can get the flu more than once during your lifetime.
2. A vaccine made to protect against flu viruses circulating last year may not protect against the newer viruses. That is why the influenza vaccine is updated to include current viruses every year.

Is the flu vaccine recommended for certain people?

Yes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends that people in any of the following groups receive a flu vaccine each year.

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu.
   
   
   • Anyone 65 years or older, regardless of health status.
   • Anyone living in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
   • Anyone 6 months of age or older with chronic heart or lung conditions, like asthma.
   • Anyone 6 months of age or older who has a recent history of metabolic diseases, chronic kidney disease or a weakened immune system.
   • Anyone 6 months to 18 years of age who is on long-term aspirin therapy. (People in this age group that take aspirin and get sick with the flu are at a risk of developing Reye syndrome.) Visit our Reye syndrome web page to learn more.
   • Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
   • All children under 2 years of age.
     
     
2. People 50 to 64 years of age.
   
   
• Nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have medical conditions that increase their risk of potentially serious flu complications.
  
  
3. People who will be in close contact with someone at high risk for complications from the flu (see above).
   
   
   • This includes all health-care workers, caregivers of children 6 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years of age or older.

Should anyone not receive the flu vaccine?

Yes. Some people should not get vaccinated:

• Anyone with a severe allergy to chicken eggs (an ingredient used to grow the virus used in the flu vaccine).
• Anyone who has had a reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• Anyone who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously. Visit our Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) web page to learn more.
• Anyone currently sick that has a fever. (Once the fever goes down, it is okay to get vaccinated).
• Children younger than 6 months of age.