Influenza Vaccine
The disease
Influenza is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus. It spreads from person to person by coughing or sneezing. Anyone can get influenza. For most, symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and fatigue will last only a few days. Some will get much sicker. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and can be dangerous for people with breathing conditions. It can cause high fever and seizures in children. Influenza kills about 36,000 people each year in the United States.
Getting the flu vaccine every year is a smart way to help avoid and spread influenza.
The vaccine
The influenza vaccine is an important part of prevention for yourself and others. Beginning in 2016, only one vaccine is available. An inactivated vaccine or “flu shot” has been used in the United States for many years. It is given by injection.
Because influenza viruses are always changing, the vaccines are updated each year. Therefore, vaccination is recommended each year.
It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop after getting the influenza vaccine and protection can last up to a year.
Side effects
There are some flu vaccine side effects that can occur. The inactivated, “flu shot” can cause mild problems such as fever, aches and soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given. The live, weakened, nasal vaccine can cause mild reactions such as runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, fever, headache and occasional vomiting or diarrhea in some children and adolescents. These symptoms should not last long and should go away on their own.
For more information, the Center for Disease Control has handouts available for both types of flu vaccine.
