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What is the flu shot?
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine. That means it uses killed virus to help your body resist the flu. It is given with a needle, usually in the arm. Each shot contains three influenza viruses. The three vaccine strains –two type A and one B virus – change every year. The vaccine makers look at other countries where people get the flu before we do and decide which strains to use based on that. Viruses for the flu shot are grown in eggs, which can take months.
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Who should/can get a flu shot?
Anyone who wants to lower their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain groups of people should get vaccinated each year. Either they are at high risk of having serious flu complications or they live with or care for those people.
People at high risk for complications from the flu include:
- Children between 6–59 months (between 6 months and 5 years old),
- Pregnant women,
- People 50 years old and older,
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions,
- People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
If you fit into any of these categories, you should get the vaccine. You should also get the face if you:
- Live with someone who fits into any of those categories,
- Live with or take care of children less than 6 months old (these children are too young to be vaccinated), or
- Work in healthcare or in a long-term care facility.
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Who can get the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine ?
Anyone who is healthy, between 5 and 49 years old, and not pregant can get nasal-spray flu vaccine.
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Who should not get a flu shot?
Talk with a doctor before getting a flu shot if you:
- Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous flu shot, or
- Have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
If you are sick with a fever when you go to get your flu shot, you should talk to your doctor or nurse about getting your shot at a later date. However, you can get a flu shot at the same time you have a respiratory illness without fever or if you have another mild illness.
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Where can I get more information?
To learn more about fly shots, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web page.
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