VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

1. Why get vaccinated?

Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza (flu).

Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the 

United States every year, usually between October 

and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more 

dangerous for some people. Infants and young 

children, people 65 years and older, pregnant people, 

and people with certain health conditions or a 

weakened immune system are at greatest risk of flu 

complications.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear 

infections are examples of flu-related complications. 

If you have a medical condition, such as heart 

disease, cancer, or diabetes, flu can make it worse.

Flu can cause fever and chills, sore throat, muscle 

aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy 

nose. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, 

though this is more common in children than adults.

In an average year, thousands of people in the 

United States die from flu, and many more are 

hospitalized. Flu vaccine prevents millions of 

illnesses and flu-related visits to the doctor each year.

2. Influenza vaccines

CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older 

get vaccinated every flu season. Children 6 months 

through 8 years of age may need 2 doses during a 

single flu season. Everyone else needs only 1 dose 

each flu season.

It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop 

after vaccination.

There are many flu viruses, and they are always 

changing. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to 

protect against the influenza viruses believed to be 

likely to cause disease in the upcoming flu season. 

Even when the vaccine doesn’t exactly match these 

viruses, it may still provide some protection.

Influenza vaccine does not cause flu.

Influenza vaccine may be given at the same time as 

other vaccines.

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of influenza vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies

 Has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also 

called “GBS”)

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone influenza vaccination until a future visit.

Influenza vaccine can be administered at any 

time during pregnancy. People who are or will be 

pregnant during influenza season should receive 

inactivated influenza vaccine.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

influenza vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Inactivated or 

Recombinant): What you need to know
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

8/6/2021

Vaccine Information Statement

Inactivated Influenza Vaccine

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Soreness, redness, and swelling where the shot 

is given, fever, muscle aches, and headache can 

happen after influenza vaccination.

 There may be a very small increased risk of 

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after inactivated 

influenza vaccine (the flu shot).

Young children who get the flu shot along with 

pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) and/or DTaP 

vaccine at the same time might be slightly more 

likely to have a seizure caused by fever. Tell your 

health care provider if a child who is getting flu 

vaccine has ever had a seizure.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the 

vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs 

of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the 

face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

6. The National Vaccine Injury 

Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 

(VICP) is a federal program that was created to 

compensate people who may have been injured by 

certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or 

death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, 

which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP 

website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or 

call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and 

about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package 

inserts and additional information at 

www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/flu.