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ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE
Vaccines protect against the flu by causing antibodies to develop in the body. By getting vaccinated, you can protect yourself from the flu and help stop the spread of flu to others.
The flu vaccine has a very good safety record. Over the years, millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines with mild or no side effects. The flu shot cannot give you the flu.
Who should get the Flu Vaccine:
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine.
However, it is especially important for:
- Children 6 months to 4 years of age
- Adults 65 years of age and older
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic illness
- Children on long-term aspirin therapy
- People with weakened immune systems
- Residents of long-term care facilities
- Health care personnel
- Those who live with or care for people at high risk for complications of the flu
- People who care for children under 5 years of age, especially those 6 months of age and younger
- People who care for adults 50 years of age and older
Who should NOT get the Flu Vaccine:
- People with severe allergies to eggs should not get vaccinated.
- People who have had any severe allergy to any vaccine component should consult a doctor.
- People who have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine in the past should speak with their doctor.
- People who have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness) should speak with their doctor.
- People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting the flu vaccine.
Types of Flu Vaccine:
- Flu shot - The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. It is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. A “high-dose” inactivated flu vaccine is available for people 65 years of age and older. Ask your doctor for more information.
- Nasal Spray Vaccine (LAIV) - The nasal spray flu vaccine is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses. It is approved for healthy people 2 to 49 years of age. Health care workers and close contacts of people with weakened immune systems may receive the LAIV unless they are in a protected environment such as a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.
The following people SHOULD NOT receive the LAIV nasal spray vaccine:
- Pregnant women
- Children younger than 2 years of age
- People 50 years of age and older
- People at high risk for complications of the flu
- Children under 5 years of age with a history of wheezing
- Children or adolescents on aspirin therapy
- People with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs or any nasal spray vaccine components
