Will I get the flu from the flu shot?
No. Flu vaccine is created from dead or inactive viruses that are not contagious.
Do I need a flu shot every year?
Yes. Influenza viruses continually change every year. A new vaccine is used annually to fight the most current influenza virus. In addition, the antibody a person develops from the vaccine declines over time.
When should I get a flu shot?
Influenza usually occurs from November until April, with activity peaking between late December and early March. The optimal time for flu shots is during October through November, however it is clinically beneficial to be vaccinated through December and January.
How effective is the flu shot?
The flu vaccine has been determined to be effective in preventing influenza in about 70% - 90% of healthy people under the age of 65 and is your best method of protection. Among elderly persons not living in chronic-care facilities and people with long-term medical conditions, the flu shot is 30%-70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia and influenza. Among elderly nursing home residents, the flu shot is most effective in preventing severe illness, secondary complications, and deaths related to the flu. In this population, the shot can be 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalization or pneumonia and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu.
Who should get a flu shot?
The CDC recommends that you receive a flu shot if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
* Anyone who wants to reduce the risk of contracting the flu
* People at high risk of having serious complications from influenza, including:
o Children aged 6 months - 18 years old
o Pregnant women
o People 50 years of age and older
o People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
o People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities
* People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu
Can I still get the flu after I get the flu shot?
Yes. Like other vaccines, flu vaccine is not 100% effective and does not take effect until one or two weeks after it is received. During this time, you will be just as susceptible to contract the flu as individuals who have not received the vaccination. Still, the best option to prevent the flu is to get a yearly flu shot.
Am I classified as high-risk?
You are classified as high-risk if you fall under one of the following categories:
* 65 years of age or older
* A household contact of persons at increased risk of influenza-related complications
* A resident or employee of a nursing home or other chronic care facility where some of the residents have chronic medical conditions
* Have a chronic medical condition such as: asthma or another lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, blood disease, etc.
* Have immune system problems caused either by disease (e.g., HIV or lymphoma) or by medication (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation therapy)
* Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
* A child or teenager, 6 months – 18 years of age, who is receiving long-term aspirin therapy (if under 18 years of age, see management at the clinic location for minimum age requirements)
* A healthcare worker who cares for high-risk patients in the patients’ homes
What are the side effects of getting a flu shot?
For most people, vaccination causes no side effects. Less than one-third of those who receive a flu shot will experience some soreness at the vaccination site, and only 5% to 10% will suffer mild side effects such as low-grade fevers and headaches. Anyone who is allergic to eggs should avoid being vaccinated, since the virus used is grown in hens’ eggs.
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