CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm[04/30/12 04:03:22 PM]

The single best way to

protect against the flu is

to get vaccinated each

year.

Key Facts About Seasonal Flu

Vaccine

There are two types of

vaccines:

The “flu shot” — an

inactivated vaccine

(containing killed

virus) that is given

with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved

for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy

people and people with chronic medical conditions.

There are three different flu shots available:

a regular flu shot approved for people ages 6 months

and older

a high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and

older, and

an intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 to 64

years of age.

The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live,

weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray

(sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza

Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not

cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people

2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Seasonal flu vaccines protect against the three influenza

viruses that research indicates will be most common during the

upcoming season. The viruses in the vaccine can change each

year based on international surveillance and scientists’

estimations about which types and strains of viruses will

circulate in a given year. About 2 weeks after vaccination,

antibodies that provide protection against the influenza viruses

in the vaccine develop in the body. Information specific to the

2011-2012 season, including the vaccine formulation, can be

found at 2011-2012 Flu Season.

When to Get Vaccinated

CDC recommends that people get their seasonal flu vaccine as

soon as vaccine becomes available in their community.

Vaccination before December is best since this timing ensures

that protective antibodies are in place before flu activity is

typically at its highest. CDC continues to encourage people to

get vaccinated throughout the flu season, which can begin as

early as October and last as late as May. Over the course of the

flu season, many different influenza viruses can circulate at

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Control and

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1600 Clifton Rd

Atlanta, GA 30333

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CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

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different times and in different places. As long as flu viruses are

still spreading in the community, vaccination can provide

protective benefit.

Where to

Get

Vaccinated

Flu vaccine

shipments began

in August and will

continue

throughout

September and

October until all

vaccine is distributed. Doctors and nurses are encouraged to

begin vaccinating their patients as soon as flu vaccine is

available in their area, even as early as August. See your

doctor or nurse to get the flu vaccine, or seek out other

locations where vaccine is being offered. The following Flu

Vaccine Locator is a useful tool for finding vaccine in your

area.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

On February 24, 2010 vaccine experts voted that everyone 6

months and older should get a flu vaccine each year starting

with the 2010-2011 influenza season. CDC’s Advisory

Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for

“universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection

against the flu to more people.

While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s

especially important that the following groups get vaccinated

either because they are at high risk of having serious flurelated complications or because they live with or care for

people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu

vaccine is always an option for healthy* people 2-49 years of

age who are not pregnant.

1. Pregnant women

2. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger

than 2 years old

3. People 50 years of age and older

4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions

5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term

care facilities

6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for

complications from flu, including:

a. Health care workers

b. Household contacts of persons at high risk for

complications from the flu

c. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of

children less than 6 months of age (these children

are too young to be vaccinated)

Sick

Specific Groups

Health Professionals

Flu Prevention Partners

Flu Activity & Surveillance

Avian Flu

Swine Flu

National Influenza

Vaccination Week (NIVW)

Vaccination Pledge

What's New & Updated!

Free Resources

Other Flu Web Sites

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CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

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Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine

without first consulting a physician. These include:

People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.

People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza

vaccination.

Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine

is not approved for this age group), and

People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever

(they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe

paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after

receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for

severe illness from influenza should generally not receive

vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré

Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the

vaccine is recommended for you.

Vaccine Effectiveness

The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the

age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and

the similarity or “match” between the viruses or virus in the

vaccine and those in circulation. For more information about

vaccine effectiveness see How Well Do Flu Vaccines Work?

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)

Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and

LAIV.

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed

(inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some

minor side effects that could occur are:

Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given

Fever (low grade)

Aches

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and

usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza

vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare

occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as

severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, people who think

that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a claim for

compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation

Program (VICP) .

The nasal spray (also called LAIV or FluMist®): The

viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not

cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness.

(In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close

contacts has occurred only rarely.)

In children, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include:

runny nose

wheezing

headache

vomiting

muscle aches

fever

In adults, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include
CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

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runny nose

headache

sore throat

cough

More information about the safety of flu vaccines is available at

Influenza Vaccine Safety.

Flu Clinic Locations Open To The Public

Flu Vaccine Locator

* "Healthy" indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition

that predisposes them to influenza complications.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA

800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, New Hours of Operation 8am-8pm

ET/Monday-Friday

Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Page last reviewed: August 15, 2011

Page last updated: September 21, 2011

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

(NCIRD)

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