Visit the Flu Shot Clinic webpage for information on vaccine availability and clinics.

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 eight months. More information about the effectiveness of flu vaccine is available on the CDC's Seasonal Influenza (Flu) webpage.

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 or older with chronic heart or lung conditions, like asthma.
   • Anyone 6 months or older who has a recent history of metabolic diseases, chronic kidney disease or a weakened immune system.
   • Anyone 6 months to 18 years 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 webpage to learn more.
   • Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
   • All children under 2 years old.
     
     
2. People 50 to 64 years old.
• Nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years old 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 old, and close contacts of people 65 years 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 within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously. Visit our Guillain-Barré syndrome webpage 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.

Who is eligible to receive the nasal spray vaccine?

The nasal spray vaccine (also called LAIV, FluMist or inhaled) is approved for healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant and do not have certain health conditions.

The nasal spray vaccine should not be given to:

• People younger than 2 years of age
• People 50 years of age and older
• People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza. These include people with:
  • chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease
  • medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure
  • illnesses that weaken the immune system, or people who take medications that can weaken the immune system
• Children younger than 5 years of age with a history of recurrent wheezing
• Children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy
• People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome that occurred after receiving flu vaccine
• Pregnant women
• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components

What are the side effects associated with the nasal spray?

The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. The nasal spray vaccine side effects may differ between children and adults.

In children:	In adults:
runny nose wheezing headache vomiting muscle aches fever	runny nose headache sore throat cough

Are there side effects from the regular seasonal flu shot?

Side effects for the seasonal flu shot are mild and mostly include soreness or redness at the injection site. Sometimes hoarseness, red eyes, or itchiness occur. Side effects will appear soon after the shot is given and last one or two days.

Severe allergic reactions are very rare, but if they occur it will be a few minutes to a few hours after the shot is administered.

The flu shot does not give you the flu.

A rare side effect is a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré Syndrome. If you have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome previously, a flu shot is not recommended.

If you have an allergy to eggs, you should not receive a flu shot.

What should I do if I have side effects from the flu shot?

Severe allergic reactions are very rare, but if they occur it would be a few minutes to just a few hours after the shot was administered. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience shortness of breath, wheezing or hives.

Where can I get more information?

For more information contact your doctor or the Immunization Clinic at (702) 759-0850.