1. “Is the flu (influenza) a serious illness?”
Some people believe the flu is no big deal. It’s true that most people recover fully from the flu in a week or two. However, for some people – including young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with certain health conditions – the flu can be much more serious.
2. “Do I need a flu shot if I’m healthy?”
Even healthy people can become sick with the flu and experience serious complications. Getting vaccinated not only helps protect you, it also helps protect others by preventing the spread of influenza. That’s why it’s recommended that everyone 6 months of age and older gets a flu shot.
3. “Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?”
The inactivated flu vaccine given by injection contains dead influenza viruses – and dead viruses can’t cause infection. The live attenuated flu vaccine given as a nasal spray contains weakened influenza viruses. This vaccine may cause mild influenza symptoms, such as runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat and fever, but these symptoms are much milder than those from influenza infection and last a shorter time.
4. “I’ve never had the flu before, why would I need a flu shot?”
Just because you’ve been able to avoid the flu in the past doesn’t mean you won’t get sick this year or in future years. Influenza viruses change (mutate) often. Most people can get sick with the flu several times during their lives.
5. “Why do I need a flu shot every year?”
Each year there is a new vaccine to protect against the expected influenza virus strains of the coming influenza season. Even if the strains haven’t changed, you need a flu shot every year because protection from vaccination declines over time.
6. “Can the flu vaccine cause severe reactions or side effects?”
The flu vaccine is safe. Common reactions to the flu vaccine include redness or soreness where the flu shot was given. Some people (especially those who get the flu shot for the first time) may have muscle aches or tiredness that may last one to two days. People who receive the live attenuated influenza vaccine may have mild influenza symptoms as described above in question three. Severe allergic reactions are rare. Learn more about possible reactions after the flu vaccine here.
7. “Does the flu vaccine contain thimerosal?”
Some flu vaccines that are produced in multi–dose vials contain a small amount of thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative). Thimerosal helps to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in vaccines and also helps to stabilize the vaccine so that it remains effective over time. Thimerosal has been used in vaccines for the past 80 years and a large number of studies have shown that it is safe in the small amount used in vaccines.
8. “I heard the flu shot doesn’t work because people still get the flu. Is this true?”
There are several reasons why people might get flu-like symptoms even though they’ve been immunized – which leads some people to believe that the flu shot doesn’t work. One reason is that people may get ill from other viruses that circulate during the flu season, which can also cause flu-like symptoms. Another reason is that it’s possible to be exposed to influenza viruses just before getting vaccinated, or during the 2 week period after vaccination that it takes for the vaccine to take full effect. It’s also possible to be exposed to a strain of the influenza virus that the vaccine was not designed to protect against.
In elderly people and people who have certain chronic health conditions, the flu vaccine may not prevent influenza completely but may decrease symptoms, complications and the risk of death from influenza. The flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent the flu.
9. “Can getting the flu vaccine every year weaken my immune system?”
The flu vaccine does not weaken your immune system. Instead it boosts your immune system to protect you against influenza viruses.
10. “Does the flu vaccine protect against the “stomach flu”?”
The flu is caused by the influenza virus and is a respiratory disease, not a stomach illness. The flu vaccine only helps protect against the viruses that cause influenza – it does not protect against the viruses or bacteria that cause colds or stomach illnesses.
11. “I’m pregnant, should I get the flu vaccine?”
It is recommended that pregnant women who are at any stage of pregnancy during flu season get a flu vaccine. Women in the second half of pregnancy are at higher risk of hospitalization due to the flu, especially those in the third trimester.
It is not known if the live attenuated influenza vaccine is safe during pregnancy. Pregnant women, or those intending to become pregnant, should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine or flu shot which contains killed influenza viruses that cannot cause infection.
12. “Is it safe for me to get the flu shot if I’m breastfeeding?”
It is safe for babies to breastfeed after mothers receive the flu vaccine.
13. “Can I get the flu vaccine if I have allergies?”
Most people with allergies can safely receive the flu vaccine. However, if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the flu vaccine, or any component of the vaccine, you should talk to your health care provider. You may need to be tested for allergies before being immunized. People with egg allergies can be safely immunized with the inactivated influenza vaccine. It is not known if the live attenuated influenza vaccine is safe for people with egg allergies.
14. “Can I get a flu vaccine if I have a cold?”
You can usually get the flu vaccine if you have a mild common illness like a cold. It’s best to talk to your health care provider if you’re concerned.
15. “Where can I get a flu vaccine?”
Flu vaccines are available from a variety of locations, including public health clinics, doctors’ offices, pharmacies and travel clinics.
