Flu Shot - Influenza Vaccine
What is the flu shot?
The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. It helps to protect an individual from the flu (influenza), an illness that often causes fever, muscle aches and dizziness. In the most serious cases, the flu can cause death.
The formula for the flu vaccine is changed every year according to the recommendations from scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They predict which strains of flu virus are most likely to appear the next winter. To ensure the best protection from the current strains, the shot must be received every year.
Why should I get a flu shot?
Although it is primarily an annoyance for most people, the flu can be very serious – even life threatening – for certain people, including older adults, children and those who have other medical problems. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
How effective is the flu shot?
Flu shots are usually about 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the flu. They are somewhat less effective in the elderly and very young children. In cases where a recipient does contract the flu, the vaccine helps protect against severe or life-threatening infection.
What are its side effects?
The flu vaccine has infrequent, minor side effects, the most common of which is soreness at the site of the shot. A few people develop fever or muscle aches within a few hours of the injection. These symptoms may last 1 to 2 days. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot.
Because eggs are used in the production of flu vaccine it is strongly recommended that people with egg allergies not receive the vaccine. Also, the flu vaccine is not recommended for people who have had Guillain Barré syndrome (a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system) or people with an allergy to thimerosal (a preservative).
Avoid getting the flu shot if you are ill with high fever. You may, however, receive the shot if you have an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold.
Are there other ways to get the flu shot?
A more costly alternative to the flu shot is FluMist®. It is a nasal spray form of the vaccine that must be received every year. It can be used in children ages 2 to 4 who have no recurrent wheezing, and most persons ages 5 to 49. Pregnant women may not receive FluMist. Since FluMist is a live virus vaccine, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, asthma or certain other medical conditions cannot take the nasal spray.
When should I get the flu shot?
Because the flu vaccine becomes effective 2 to 4 weeks after the shot is received, it is best to get the shot in October of each year, before the flu season begins. Try to receive the shot no later than November or December, if possible.
Flu seasons can vary from region to region, so have an updated shot before traveling to an area where exposure to the flu is possible.
Who should receive a flu shot?
Several groups of people should receive the flu vaccine every year:
- People over the age of 50
- People whose immune systems may be impaired, such as by HIV, cancer or organ transplant
- People with chronic medical problems, such as asthma, heart disease, emphysema and diabetes
- People working in health care
- School teachers and other community workers with close, daily contact with the public
- Women who are pregnant should get the shot after 13 weeks of pregnancy. However, if the individual has other chronic medical problems, it is OK to get the shot earlier in the pregnancy.
Who shouldn't receive a flu shot?
There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
- People who developed Guillain Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously
- Children less than 6 months of age
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
To schedule an appointment with a Temple Lung Center physician click here or call 1-800-TEMPLE-MED (1-800-836-7536).
FluMist® is a registered trademark of Medimmune, Gaithersburg, MD
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