Frequently asked questions
1) Who should get a flu shot?
Current guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.1
The following groups are at higher risk2,4:
- People 50 years of age or older
- Children younger than 5, but especially younger than 2 years old
- People with certain chronic medical conditions
- Pregnant women
- Healthcare workers and household contact of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and caregivers of children 0 - 6 months
- Residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
- Children 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
2) How often do I need to get a flu shot?
Flu strains change from year to year. The best way to help protect yourself from new influenza strains is to get vaccinated each Fall.3
3) What if I don't get a flu shot in the Fall?
The recommended time of the year to get a flu shot is early in the flu season - October to November. However, getting a flu shot later in the season - December to March - can still help protect you and your loved ones.4
4) Do I need to get both a seasonal and H1N1 flu shot this year?
No. This year the seasonal flu vaccine will include influenza A H1N1(2009).5
5) Can getting a flu shot give me the flu?
No. Injectable influenza vaccines are made from influenza viruses that have been killed - a killed virus cannot give you influenza.6
6) Are there any side effects from getting a flu shot?
All vaccines have potential side effects; however, most people who receive the influenza vaccine do not develop serious problems. The most common side effects of the vaccine include minor soreness or redness at the site of the shot and mild general symptoms. 6
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommends Universal Annual Influenza Vaccination. CDC Web site.www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100224.htm. Accessed July 20, 2010.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. People at higher risk of developing flu-related complications. CDC Web site. www.cdc.gov/fl u/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Accessed August 23, 2010.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal influenza. CDC Web site. www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm. Accessed August 23, 2010.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal flu vaccine. CDC Web site. www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm. Accessed August 23, 2010.
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. FDA selects pandemic H1N1 for 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine. Cidrap Web site. umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swieflu/news/feb2210strains.html. Accessed August 2, 2010
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Key facts about seasonal flu. CDC Web site.www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm. Accessed July 9, 2010.
