Types of Vaccines:

• The “flu shot”- An inactivated vaccine, containing the killed virus. It is given with a needle, usually in the arm and is approved for healthy people older than 6 months, as well as people with chronic medical conditions.

• The nasal-spray flu vaccine- A vaccine, containing a live and weakened flu virus that does not cause the flu. This vaccine is approved for healthy people, aged 2 to 49 years who are not pregnant.

When Do I Get Vaccinated?

Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. The best time to get your flu vaccine is October or November, but you can still get yours in December or later.

Vaccine Effectiveness

Two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop in the body that protect against the influenza virus infection. Age and health depending, and the similarity between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation, are all factors in determining the vaccine’s effectiveness. However, both the flu-shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are proven to be effective at preventing the flu.

Vaccine Side Effects

Most people who receive the vaccine do not experience any side effects. However if these side effects do take place, they usually last 1 to 2 days. Side effects of the flu-shot may include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Fever (low grade)
• Aches

Because the viruses are weakened in the nasal-spray vaccine, they do not cause severe symptoms associated with influenza illness. Side effects of the nasal-spray flu vaccine may include:

• Runny nose
• Wheezing
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough

People Who Should Get Vaccinated:

• Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities

People Who Should Not Get Vaccinated:

• 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 have developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine in the past.
• Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in 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.