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Flu Vaccine

Ask our expert about whether you should get a flu shot

Do I need a flu shot this year?
If I get a flu shot, will I have painful side effects? Will I get the flu?
What about the nasal vaccine?
Can a medical condition prevent me from getting the shot?
Since I'm young and healthy, am I unlikely to get the flu?
Should I get vaccinated if I'm not around people at risk?
Is it too late to get a flu shot?

Q: Do I need a flu shot this year?

A: If you want to reduce your chance of getting the flu (influenza), you should get vaccinated. If you are at high risk for complications from flu or you live with or care for someone at high risk, you should definitely get vaccinated. People at high risk include:

Children age 6 months to 5 years
Pregnant women
People age 50 and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

Q: If I get a flu shot, will I have painful side effects? Will I get the flu?

A: The flu shot contains a killed virus, so you can't get the flu from the shot. It's still possible to get the flu even when you've had the vaccine, but the chances are much smaller. The vaccine will not protect you from other viruses like colds and gastrointestinal illnesses.

The most common side effects from the flu shot are mild soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site. Some people experience headache or low-grade fever, but this is rare. People who get sick after getting a flu shot usually have a coincidental illness unrelated to the flu. In fact, studies have shown that people getting flu shots had no more side effects than those getting a placebo.

Q: What about the nasal vaccine?

A: An inhaled vaccine, FluMist, is an alternative to a shot. FluMist contains live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. It is approved for use in healthy people ages 2 to 50 who are not pregnant.

Children may experience mild, temporary side effects including runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches and fever. Side effects in adults can include runny nose, headache, sore throat and cough.

Q: Can a medical condition prevent me from getting the shot?

A: The only real medical reasons to keep you from getting a shot are a severe allergy to eggs, a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine or a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Flu shots use very small amounts of thimerisol as a preservative, so if you've had a severe reaction to thimerisol you may consider thimerisol-free FluMist.

If you are sick and have a fever, you should wait until your symptoms lessen to get vaccinated.

Q: Since I'm young and healthy, am I unlikely to get the flu?

A: Anyone can get the flu, regardless of age or how healthy you are. Every year people who are young and healthy get sick enough to be admitted to hospitals. Influenza and related complications kill more than 36,000 people every year in the U.S.

Q: Should I get vaccinated if I'm not around people at risk?

A: Yes. Every day you are in contact with many people, some of whom may be contagious. Getting vaccinated (and washing your hands often) is the best way to protect yourself and your family, as well as your co-workers and others around you.

Q: Is it too late to get a flu shot?

A: Flu season can run from October through May. It generally peaks from late December through March. It's best to get vaccinated early, but you can get vaccinated any time during the season. Don't wait, since it takes a few weeks to develop protection.

Want to know more? Talk to your doctor about getting a flu vaccine or call 610-402-CARE for more information.

This page last updated 1/6/09 01:26 PM