Frequently Asked Questions

What is the flu shot?
The flu shot is an inactivate vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. It contains three influenza viruses, representing the three strains recommended for that year.

What is the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine?
The Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy persons aged 2-49 years who are not pregnant.

How effective is the flu shot?
When the "match" between vaccine and circulating strains is close, the vaccine prevents 70%-90% of healthy persons younger than 65 years. Among elderly and those persons living with long-term medical conditions, the flu shot is 30%-70% effective in preventing hospitalization due to influenza or pneumonia.

What are the risks from getting a flu shot?
The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm or death is extremely small. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, may rarely cause serious problems, such as allergic reactions. Almost all people who get the influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. Occasionally, people who have received a flu shot experience soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, low grade fever and muscle aches. If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last one to two days.

Does the flu shot work right away?
It takes about two weeks after the vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the influenza virus infection.

Can I get the flu even though I got a flu shot this year?
Yes. The ability of a flu shot to protect a person depends on two things: 1) the age and health status of the person and 2) the match between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. When the match is close, the flu vaccine prevents influenza better than when they do not match.

Many people think that the flu vaccine ellimates any illness with fever, cold-like symptoms, stomach illnesses or intestinal problems, such as vomiting, nausea or diarrhea. However, flu shots are effective only against illness caused by flu viruses and not against other causes of fever, colds, stomach or intestinal illnesses cause by other viruses.

Why should children be vaccinated?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths for children and adults. It is estimated that each year in the U.S., there are more than 20,000 children less than five years old hospitalized due to the flu. Nearly half were normal and healthy, with no other medical conditions before coming down with the flu.