Each year, the virus mutates slightly, meaning that vulnerable groups need to be vaccinated each year to protect against new strains. Scientists around the world work hard to predict the particular strains that may abound each winter and create a vaccine purpose-built for the flu season. While some of us may suffer a milder illness if we contract the flu, others - particularly older people and those with underlying health conditions - may well suffer serious side-effects.
Each year, thousands of people die from this disease and many deaths could be prevented if the vaccine were more widely used. Like many vaccines, the flu jab works by introducing a deactivated form of the flu virus into your system.
Your body will then produce an immune reaction that should help to protect you if and when you are exposed to the genuine virus. This is because your body will recognise the virus and will know how to deal with it. Some people who have received the flu vaccine have complained afterwards of having a 'flu-like' illness. However, although some people do have a mild reaction - such as a low-grade fever, headache or tiredness - it is impossible to genuinely catch flu from the vaccine.
But that is likely to be because people have a background illness that they either didn't tell their healthcare provider about or didn't realise they had at the time. It's important to speak with your healthcare provider if you're feeling unwell when you go for your vaccine. It's that time of year again - winter will soon be upon us and that means it's time to get your If your doctor recommends that you have the vaccine because of underlying health conditions or if you're over 50 the answer is a straightforward 'yes'.
This year, those who spend time around vulnerable people, including carers and anyone who lives with someone on the NHS clinically extremely vulnerable shielded list, as well as some children, are also being offered a vaccine as there is a possibility of contracting both coronavirus and influenza at the same time.
Even if you're not eligible for a free vaccine, you can book one privately at your local pharmacy. Find out if you are eligible today. As with all vaccines, the more uptake there is, the more the disease can be suppressed in the general population. If you contract both viruses at once, it could be a deadly cocktail," explains Dr Foster.
Even if you've had flu or been vaccinated in recent years, you will not be immune to the virus because there will be new strains each flu season. These side effects are usually mild and short-lasting, especially when compared to symptoms of flu. A flu shot: The viruses in a flu shot are killed inactivated , so you cannot get flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that may occur are:.
The nasal spray: The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. In children, side effects from the nasal spray may include:. If these problems occur, they begin soon after vaccination and usually are mild and short-lived. A flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting.
Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
People who think that they have been injured by a flu vaccine can file a claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program VICP external icon. More information about the safety of flu vaccines is available at Influenza Flu Vaccine Safety. Flu vaccine is produced by private manufacturers, so supply depends on manufacturers. Vaccine manufacturers have projected that they will supply the United States with as many as million to million doses of influenza vaccine for the season.
These projections may change as the season progresses. All flu vaccines for the season will be quadrivalent four component. People who have a history of severe egg allergy those who have had any symptom other than hives after exposure to egg should be vaccinated in a medical setting, supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic reactions.
Two completely egg-free ovalbumin-free flu vaccine options are available: quadrivalent recombinant vaccine and quadrivalent cell-based vaccine. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address:. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Influenza Flu. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. On This Page.
Quadrivalent flu vaccines include: Standard-dose quadrivalent influenza shots that are manufactured using virus grown in eggs. Different influenza shots are licensed for different age groups. These four vaccines are approved for people 6 months of age and older. Most influenza shots are given in an arm muscle with a needle. One quadrivalent influenza shot Afluria Quadrivalent can be given either with a needle for people aged 6 months and older or with a jet injector for people aged 18 through 64 years only.
A quadrivalent cell-based influenza shot Flucelvax Quadrivalent containing virus grown in cell culture, which is licensed for people 4 years and older. This vaccine is egg-free. Recombinant quadrivalent influenza shot Flublok Quadrivalent , an egg-free vaccine, approved for people 18 years and older. A quadrivalent flu shot using an adjuvant an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response , Fluad Quadrivalent, approved for people 65 years of age and older.
A quadrivalent high-dose influenza vaccine Fluzone High-Dose, which contains a higher dose of antigen to help create a stronger immune response, licensed for people 65 years and older. A live attenuated influenza vaccine FluMist Quadrivalent , which is given intranasally.
This vaccine is approved for people 2 through 49 years of age. Live attenuated influenza vaccine should not be given to people who are pregnant, immunocompromised persons, and some other groups. There are many flu vaccine options to choose from, but the most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year. Influenza Vaccine Products for the Season. Additional considerations concerning the timing of vaccination for certain groups include: Adults, especially those 65 years and older, should generally not get vaccinated early in July or August because protection may decrease over time, but early vaccination can be considered for any person who is unable to return at a later time to be vaccinated.
Children can get vaccinated as soon as vaccine becomes available, even if this is in July or August. Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. For those children it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second dose needs to be given at least 4 weeks after the first. Early vaccination can also be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy, because this can help protect their infants during the first months of life when they are too young to be vaccinated.
Find flu vaccines in your area. Find out more about the flu vaccine in pregnancy. If you're a frontline health and social care worker, your employer should offer you a flu vaccine.
They may give the vaccine at your workplace. Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past. You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs. If you're ill with a high temperature, it's best to wait until you're better before having the flu vaccine. Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there's still a chance you might get flu.
If you do get flu after vaccination, it's likely to be milder and not last as long. Having the flu vaccine will also stop you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of serious problems from flu. Flu vaccines are very safe. All adult flu vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm. It's very rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to the flu vaccine. If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.
The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. Anyone can report a suspected side effect of a vaccine through the Yellow Card Scheme. There are several types of injected flu vaccine. None of them contain live viruses so they cannot give you flu.
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