Flu Vaccine Questions and Answers

• Why should I get the flu(influenza) vaccine?
• What types of influenza vaccinations are available?
• Who should get the influenza vaccine?
• Who should not get the influenza vaccine?
• Do I need to get an influenza vaccine every year?
• When should I get an influenza vaccine?
• Can I still get influenza after I've been vaccinated?

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Why should I get the flu(influenza) vaccine?

The flu (influenza) is a serious disease that can affect people of any age. In an average year, influenza is responsible for more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the United States. Getting vaccinated is the best form of protection against this disease.

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What types of influenza vaccinations are available?

There are 2 types of influenza vaccines available, the injectable influenza vaccine, commonly known as the "flu shot," and the nasal influenza vaccine, FluMist. FluMist is only available for healthy persons between the ages of 2 through 49.

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Who should get the injectable influenza vaccine?

In general, it is recommended that anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting the flu should be vaccinated. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that these high-risk groups of people receive a flu shot:

• All persons, including school-age children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others
• All children age 6 months to 18 years of age
• All persons age 50 years and older
• Children and adolescents (age 6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after an influenza virus infection
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
• Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
• Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV)
• Adults and children who have any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions, or that can increase the risk for aspiration (for example, cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders)
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
• Healthcare personnel
• Household contacts and caregivers of children up to 5 years of age, and adults 50 years and older
• Household contacts and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza

Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

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Who should not get the injectable influenza vaccine?

Certain individuals should not be vaccinated without first consulting a healthcare professional. These people include:

• Those with a severe allergy to chicken eggs
• Those who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
• Those who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting a flu vaccine previously
• Those who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait until they recover before getting flu vaccine

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Do I need to get an influenza vaccine every year?

Yes. To be protected from the current circulating influenza viruses, it is recommended that you receive a flu vaccine each year. Influenza viruses change from year to year; therefore, a new vaccine must be created each year, and annual vaccination is necessary.

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When should I get an influenza vaccine?

Flu vaccinations are available in most communities beginning in October and continue to be offered throughout the spring or until the vaccine supply is exhausted. To find out when flu vaccines will be available at a Walgreens near you, please consult our Flu Vaccine Locator.

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Can I still get influenza after I've been vaccinated?

Yes. As with other vaccines, the influenza vaccine is not 100% effective against all influenza viruses, but it still provides the best form of protection. However, individuals who are vaccinated and still contract the flu usually get a milder case of influenza than they would have had they not been vaccinated.

The vaccine takes effect two weeks after it has been administered; therefore, during this time you maybe susceptible to influenza, just as are individuals who have not received the vaccination.

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