Flu Shots: The Vaccine And Its Side Effects

Flu Shot: The Vaccine And Its Side Effects

People often think of the flu as similar to a cold, because they share many of the same symptoms. However, the flu can cause major problems in some people and can even be deadly. The most common protection against the flu is a flu vaccine, a simple shot that helps individuals avoid the flu, or lessens symptoms if the virus does attack the body.

When To Get The Flu Shot

Flu season runs from October through May. It’s best to get the vaccine as soon as it is available at the doctor or local pharmacy. It usually starts becoming available around September or October and takes two weeks for the vaccine to begin taking effect on the body. The flu shot is still available later in the season, but the sooner that you get it, the less of a chance you have of getting the virus. The vaccine is effective for six months long.

Are There Different Types Of Flu Vaccine?

There are several types of flu vaccines available. Some vaccines will work against multiple strains of the flu virus. Trivalent vaccines work against three strains and quadrivalent vaccines work against four types of the flu strain. High-dose only comes in trivalent form, while the traditional flu vaccine comes in both trivalent and quadrivalent forms.

• A traditional flu shot is created using pieces of inactive flu viruses and is injected in the form of a shot into the arm muscle.

• An egg-free flu shot is not grown inside eggs, like other types of flu vaccines. This type of vaccine was developed for people over eighteen who have severe allergies to eggs and egg products.

• The high-dose flu shot is available for people ages sixty-five and older, as they often require more of the vaccine to receive the same protection as younger people.

• An intradermal flu shot is available for adults ages eighteen to sixty-four. It is a shot that uses a small needle and only goes skin deep, rather than into the muscle like the traditional shot.

• The nasal spray flu vaccine, known as FluMist, is made from weakened, but still live flu viruses. It does not use a needle, but instead is sprayed into the nasal passages. Sometimes, this flu spray is called LAIV, which stands for live attenuated influenza vaccine. LAIV can be used by healthy individuals age two to forty-nine who do not have weak immune systems, are not allergic to the flu vaccine or its ingredients, and who are not pregnant. Check with a doctor to make sure that LAIV is right for you. This option is not recommended for the 2016-2017 flu season.

How Does The Flu Shot Work?

Regardless of which type of flu shot used, the vaccine prompts the body to prepare to fight an infection against the flu virus. The body will create antibodies, which will actively fight the virus once exposed. Each season, doctors must work to alter and update the flu vaccine. The current vaccine uses strains that are expected to be active during that year’s flu season.

The vaccine does not cause the body to develop flu symptoms. However, since it takes around two weeks to begin working, some people may catch the virus prior to the effective date of the vaccine. Sometimes, the vaccine does not work. In some cases, people who have had the vaccine may still get the flu, but the symptoms will be milder than if they hadn’t had the flu shot.

Who Should Get The Flu Vaccine?

The Center for Disease Control, or CDC, recommends that everyone ages six months and older get immunized against the flu unless there is a medical reason preventing them. The CDC believes that the vaccine is particularly important for those who have a high risk of developing complications from the flu, including the following:

• Children under the age of five, particularly those under age two
• People age 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• People living in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities

• Adults who have children with diseases of the heart, kidneys, lungs (like asthma), liver, blood, or metabolism (such as diabetes)

• Anyone who gets long-term aspirin therapy and is under the age of 19
• Alaskan natives and American Indians

What Are The Side Effects?

Some side effects are possible with the flu and include a mild fever and feelings of tiredness or achiness following the shot. Some individuals experience soreness, redness, or swelling at the needle site. These side effects are common and do not last long. Some serious side effects do occur, but they are rare. They occur from a few minutes to a few hours of receiving the shot. Emergency medical attention should be sought out immediately if an individual has trouble breathing, hives, feels weak, dizzy or has a fast heartbeat. Call 911 or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Children may experience the following side effects:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches
• Fever

Adults may experience:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Sore throat