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Flu Shots (Cont.)

Types of Flu Shots

Until recently, you could get flu shots only as an injection. However, in 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a nasal spray called FluMist®, which you can get from your healthcare provider. The FDA approved it for use in healthy people who are 5 to 49 years of age.
 
You should not use FluMist if:
 
  • You have certain lung conditions, including asthma, or heart conditions
  • You have metabolic disorders, such as diabetes or kidney dysfunction
  • You have an immunodeficiency disease or you are on immunosuppressive treatment
  • You have had Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • You are pregnant
  • You have a history of allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the parts of FluMist or to eggs
  • You are a child or teenager who regularly takes aspirin or products containing aspirin.
 

When Should I Get Flu Shots?

Your immune system takes time to respond to flu shots. Therefore, you should get vaccinated 6 to 8 weeks before flu season begins in November to prevent infection or to reduce the severity of the flu if you do get it. However, flu season usually lasts until March, so it is not too late to get flu shots after the season has begun. Flu shots by themselves cannot cause the flu, but you could become exposed to the virus by someone else and get infected soon after you are vaccinated.
 

Side Effects of Flu Shots

Approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of people who get flu shots will have mild side effects for about a day after vaccination. The most common side effect of flu shots in children and adults is soreness at the site of the vaccination. Other side effects of flu shots, especially in children who previously have not been exposed to the flu virus, include:
 
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Sore muscles.
 
These side effects of flu shots may begin 6 to 12 hours after vaccination and may last for up to 2 days.
 
Viruses for producing flu shots are grown in chicken eggs and then killed with a chemical so that they can no longer cause an infection. As a result, flu shots may contain some egg protein, which can cause an allergic reaction. If you are allergic to eggs or have ever had a serious allergic reaction to flu shots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you consult with your healthcare provider before getting vaccinated.
 
(Flu Shots Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;