Fight the Flu

No. The viruses in the flu vaccine are killed (inactivated), so they cannot cause infection and you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. 

Side effects may include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling at the vaccination site 
• Fever (low grade) 
• Aches 
• Toughness and itching at the vaccination site 

These side effects are caused by the person’s immune system making protective antibodies to the killed virus in the vaccine. These antibodies are what allow the body to fight against flu. If these side effects occur, they usually last one to two days. Soreness can usually be relieved by taking a dose of an anti-inflammatory drug, such as Motrin or Aleve, shortly after receiving the vaccine and a second dose the next morning, if needed. If a side effect persists more than two days, please report it to your primary care provider. 

There are several reasons why someone might get flu-like symptoms after they have been vaccinated against the flu. 

• A person may be exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two weeks that it takes to gain immunity after getting vaccinated. 
• A person may become ill from other (non-flu) viruses that circulate during the flu season, which can also cause flu-like symptoms (such as adenovirus or coronavirus). 
• A person may be exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. There are many different influenza viruses that circulate every year. 

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age six months or older. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications, including: 

• Pregnant women 
• Older adults 
• Young children 

Chronic medical conditions can also increase your risk of influenza complications. Examples include asthma, cerebral palsy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, HIV-AIDS, kidney or liver disease, muscular dystrophy, obesity and sickle cell disease.

If you’ve ever had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction or Guillain-Barre’ syndrome, you should talk to your primary care provider about whether or not you should get the flu vaccine. 

There may be situations in which it would be better to wait a few days to receive your flu vaccine, such as if you have a fever. If you have questions or concerns about getting the vaccine, ask your primary care provider. 

The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women during any trimester. Flu vaccination is especially important for pregnant women because they are at high risk for complications if they get the flu, and vaccination provides protection for their unborn baby. Nursing mothers can receive the flu vaccine. 

Yes. The influenza vaccine syringes are latex free. 

Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative that is added to multi-dose vials of vaccine to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria. Pre-filled, single-dose syringes of vaccine given at Parkview do NOT have thimerosal in them. 

Flu vaccination provides protection against the influenza strains contained in the vaccine that will last for the whole season. Vaccination can begin as soon as vaccine is available. 

New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting flu viruses. Because flu viruses change so quickly, last year's vaccine may not protect you from this year's viruses. 

The flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent the flu, and vaccination is the main tool used to protect people from influenza. The ability of the flu vaccine to protect a person depends on at least two things: 1) the age and health of the person getting the vaccine, and 2) the similarity or “match” between the virus strains in the vaccine and those being spread in the community. 

Vaccine effectiveness is not 100%, and some people can still get the flu. Some older people and people with certain chronic illnesses might develop less immunity after vaccination than healthy young adults. Even for these high-risk individuals, partial immunity from the flu vaccine still can provide protection against severe complications and/or hospitalization from the flu. 

An egg-free vaccine is available for those allergic to eggs. Be sure to ask when you go for your vaccination.