How Old To Get Flu Shot

Side Effects Of The Flu Shot

Canadians urged to get flu shot, avoid twindemic

Common side effects of the flu shot include pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, as well as mild flu-like symptoms such as low-grade fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. These effects usually go away in 24 to 36 hours, says Dr. Johnson. The nasal spray vaccine has different side effects of runny or stuffy nose and cough.

Its important to remember that experiencing symptoms doesnt mean the vaccine made you sick. Thats just your immune system getting activated to fight the real virus, says Dr. Kimbrough.

As with any vaccine, contact a healthcare provider if you develop a high fever, behavior changes or severe allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling around the eyes or lips, hives, dizziness and a fast heartbeat. Life-threatening reactions to the flu shot are rare and would appear within a few minutes or hours after receiving the vaccine, according to the CDC.

Should Pregnant Women Get A Flu Vaccine

Yes. Flu vaccine is safe and has been given to millions of pregnant women over many years. It is recommended to protect the pregnant woman who is at high risk for severe flu illness and it protects the baby for up to 6 months after birth.

Infants younger than 6 months cannot receive a flu vaccination so it is essential that pregnant women receive a flu vaccination at any time during their pregnancy to protect themselves and their baby.

Why Is It Important That I Receive A Flu Shot This Year

The health crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that preventing influenza during the 202021 flu season is more important than ever. Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses and share many symptoms, but they are caused by different viruses. The prevalence of COVID-19 in the U.S. this year means you do not want the flu. A combination of both viruses, or one after the other, may have a serious impact on your well-being, respiratory health and overall ability to recover. While there is currently not a vaccine for COVID-19, getting your flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from the complications, hospitalizations or death that influenza can cause. Preventing influenza can reduce the number of people who will need to seek medical care and testing for possible COVID-19 or influenza infection. Protecting yourself and loved ones with a flu vaccine also saves healthcare resources for the treatment of COVID-19 and other health conditions.

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The Flu Shot Is Safe And Effective

The longstanding vaccine safety system in the US ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible. As new information and science become available, the system is updated and improved. Flu shots are also effective at reducing the risk of flu illness.

Who: Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot, with rare exceptions. Learn more about who should and shouldn’t get the flu shot.
What: Seasonal flu shots protect against influenza viruses research indicates will be most common in the upcoming season. After getting the flu shot, antibodies develop in the body about two weeks later that provide protection against infection.

What Flu Vaccine Should I Get

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Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people. There are flu shots approved for use in children as young as 6 months of age and flu shots approved for use in adults 65 years and older. Flu shots also are recommended for use in pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions. The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals, 2 years through 49 years of age. People with some medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine. Your provider will know which flu vaccine is best for you.

Im Pregnant Is It Safe To Get The Flu Shot

Yes, the flu shot is safe. Those who are pregnant should be immunized. Infants born during flu season to mothers who got a flu shot are usually protected against the flu for a few months. The flu shot is also safe and highly recommended for those breastfeeding. Since infants less than 6 months of age cannot get the flu shot , antibodies against the flu are transferred through breast milk.

When Should I Not Get The Flu Shot

The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone older than 6 months who does not have specific contraindications. The flu shot is not recommended for:

Anyone with severe allergy or anaphylaxis to the flu vaccine or its ingredients
Infants younger than 6 months old

In certain situations, the risks of the flu shot can outweigh the benefits of protection. In these cases, people need to talk to their healthcare provider before getting a flu shot. Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome should speak to their healthcare provider before getting a flu shot.

The flu shot is safe for most people with egg allergies. But people with egg allergies might need a certain type of vaccine or may need observation following the vaccine. A healthcare provider can help plan out an approach in these situations.

If you are sick on the day of your flu shot, make sure you let the provider know. Some people can still get vaccinated if they only have a minor illness. In some cases, the provider may recommend rescheduling the flu shot.

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Everyone 6 Months And Older Should Get The Flu Shot

The flu shot is your best defence against the flu. The flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.

It can save lives by:

protecting you, if you’re exposed to the virus
preventing you from getting very sick
protecting people close to you:
because you’re less likely to spread the virus
who are at higher risk of serious flu complications if they get the flu

reducing additional burden on the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic

reduce your chances of being infected with COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, which could lead to more serious complications

The flu shot wont protect you against COVID-19.

How Safe Is The Flu Vaccine

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The influenza vaccine is very safe. It cannot cause the flu. Side effects are usually mild and can include:

mild soreness where the needle went into the arm for 1 to 2 days.
a mild fever or aches for the first day or 2 after immunization.

Do not give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen before or around the time of vaccination as it does not prevent the pain of injection and it could have an impact on how well the vaccine works. These medications can be used to treat fever, pain, or other bothersome side effects if they develop after vaccination.

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Why Should My Child Get A Flu Vaccine

Reduces the risk of flu illness and hospitalization among children.
Shown to be life-saving for children.
Can make illness less severe among people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu.
Reduces the risk of illness, which can keep your child from missing school or childcare and you from having to miss work.
Reduces the high risk of developing serious flu complication especially if your child is younger than 5 years, or of any age with certain chronic conditions.
Helps prevent spreading flu to family and friends, including babies younger than 6 months who are too young to get a flu vaccine.

Why Should Older Adults Get The Flu Shot

The flu shot is especially important for older adults because they tend to have weaker immune systems.

When the immune system isnt strong, it becomes harder for the body to fight off infections. Likewise, a weaker immune system can lead to flu-related complications.

Secondary infections that can develop with the flu include:

ear infections
bronchitis
pneumonia

People ages 65 and older are at higher risk for serious complications. In fact, its estimated that as many as 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in people ages 65 and older. Plus, up to 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in people ages 65 and older.

If you become ill after getting a vaccination, a flu shot may lessen the severity of symptoms of the illness.

Protecting yourself from the flu is increasingly important while COVID-19 is a factor.

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How Does The Flu Shot Protect You

The flu shot prompts your immune system to produce antibodies against a specific strain of the flu. If youre exposed to this particular flu virus later, youll already have antibodies ready to fight off the virus.

It usually takes about 2 weeks to build up your immunity to a flu virus after youve been vaccinated against it.

Youll have the most antibodies 1 to 2 months later. After this time, your protection begins to decline. Thats why you need a flu shot every year.

Each years vaccine is based on which strains are most likely to spread during that flu season.

The vaccine wont protect you from every strain. But if you do get sick, itll likely be less severe due to the vaccine.

The 2020-21 flu season may be complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The overlap of these two viral illnesses threatens to overburden hospitals, which typically get an influx of patients who have complications from the seasonal flu.

Getting your flu shot can help lower your risk of flu complications that could put you in the hospital.

Most people have little to no reaction following the vaccine. Theres no live virus in the flu shot, so it cant give you the flu.

Some people have a temporary reaction at the injection site, such as:

tenderness

Normally, you can get a flu vaccine at your doctors office, your local pharmacy, or even at a walk-in retail clinic.

Some employers even provide flu shots for their employees at their workplace.

Contact your

Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine For Babies

Despite common misconception, the flu vaccine doesn’t actually cause the flu. That’s because most shots are made with inactivated viruses, or they use a single gene from a flu virus , according to the CDC. That said, your baby may experience mild side effects, including low-grade fever, aches, and soreness or redness near the injection site. These symptoms only last a day or two.

Serious allergic reactions are rare. But if your child is experiencing breathing problems, wheezing, hives, dizziness, accelerated heartbeat, or other worrisome symptoms, inform a doctor immediately.

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Where To Get A Flu Shot

During flu season you can get a free flu shot from:

your doctor or nurse practitioner
participating pharmacies

Children six moths to four years old can get their flu shot from a doctor, nurse practitioner or local public health unit. Children under five years old cannot get a flu shot at a pharmacy.

Who Should Get A Flu Vaccine

Health experts recommend the flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and older.

Until recently, doctors recommended that kids with an egg allergy not get the flu vaccine because it’s grown inside eggs. But now health experts say that because there’s only a tiny bit of egg protein in the vaccine, it’s safe even for people with a severe egg allergy.

Still, if you have an egg allergy, you should get your vaccine in your doctor’s office, not at a supermarket or drugstore.

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Who Is Offering The Jab For Free

New South Wales will offer a “month-long blitz” of free flu jabs starting June 1 and ending June 30 for anybody over the age of six months of age.

Previously the vaccines were available free only to certain high risk groups, but Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said authorities were concerned by the sharp increase in infections.

“We strongly urge everyone over six months of age to get a flu shot as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones, as the virus is easily spread and potentially deadly,” Dr Chant said.

Queenslanders over the age of six months can get free influenza vaccinations until June 30.

The decision was announced last week after an early and intense surge of Influenza A was detected across the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had taken the “unprecedented” decision to protect people amid low rates of immunity.

“We are seeing the impacts on our hospitals and if we don’t get a vaccinated community with the flu vaccine, we are going to see escalating numbers in our hospitals,” she said.

Western Australians over the age of six months can get a free flu jab from June 1 until June 30.

The WA Department of Health’s “Free Jab June” initiative was announced by Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson on May 29.

“We already make vaccinations free for our most vulnerable, but by extending this program throughout June we are making the flu jab more easily accessible to everyone,” she said.

Some Children Are At Higher Risk

Now’s the time to get your flu shot

Children at greatest risk of serious flu-related complications include the following:

Children younger than 6 months oldThese children are too young to be vaccinated. The best way to protect these children is for their parents to get a flu shot during pregnancy and for people around them to get vaccinated. A flu shot given during pregnancy has been shown to not only protect the pregnant parent from flu, but also to help protect the baby from flu infection for several months after birth, before he or she is old enough to be vaccinated.

Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthdayFrom the 2010-2011 season to the 2019-2020 season, CDC estimates that flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 . Even children in this age group who are otherwise healthy are at higher risk simply because of their age. Additionally, children 2 years of age up to their 5th birthday are more likely than healthy older children to be taken to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu1,2,3. To protect their health, all children 6 months and older should be vaccinated against flu each year. Vaccinating young children, their families, and other caregivers can also help protect them from getting sick.

American Indian and Alaskan Native childrenThese children are more likely to have severe flu illness that results in hospitalization or death.4,5

Children aged 6 months old through 18 years old with chronic health problems, including:

Chronic lung disease

When Should Your Child Get Their Flu Shot

There are two ways to receive the flu vaccine, and both are highly effective.

The flu vaccine administered by needle, typically injected into your arm, is a solution of non-viable virus particles that help the immune system recognize and kill the flu virus quickly, allowing for mild symptoms if any at all. Non-viable virus particles means you cannot get the flu from the shot and are not contagious to other people, says Dr. Johnson. There are different flu vaccines administered by needle that are approved for different age groups.

The nasal spray flu vaccine protects against four different strains of flu virus and is intended for children and adults ages two through 49.

The nasal spray is a live-attenuated virus, or a weakened live virus that cannot cause infection in someone with a normal immune system, says Dr. Johnson. In people with a weak immune system, the live-attenuated virus in the spray could actually cause a flu infection, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about whether this route is the best way to go for you and your childs needs.

The nasal spray vaccine is a great option for those who may be needle-phobic or for parents who dont want to give their little one another jab, says Dr. Kimbrough.

When To Get The Influenza Vaccine

New season influenza vaccines under the NIP are expected to be available from April. Timing may be different for your local area. Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you will be able to book in to have the vaccine.

Annual influenza vaccine should occur anytime from April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September. The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.

However, it is never too late to vaccinate since influenza can circulate in the community all year round.

Pregnant women should receive the vaccine at any stage during pregnancy.

Influenza vaccines can be given on the same day with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Why Everyone Needs A Flu Shotespecially During Covid

As we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic, its more important than ever for everyone to get a flu shot. Ideally, everyone should get vaccinated by the end of October to help provide protection before flu season begins.

In short, very. Especially this year.

There are many different strains of the influenza virus. Every year, experts work to predict the strains that will be in the community that year. Because these flu virus strains change from year to year, it is important to get the best protection each year with an updated flu vaccine.

Flu can lead to more serious infections, like pneumonia, as well as other complications and even death. Flu season is unpredictable, especially this year as we continue to face COVID-19, said Andi Shane, MD, MPH, System Medical Director, Infectious Diseases. The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is for everyone 6 months and older to get a seasonal flu vaccine as soon as they become available. Making sure that everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated receives the flu and COVID-19 vaccines is one of the best ways to keep your family healthy.

Its safe to get both a COVID-19 and a flu vaccine on the same day. Some parents worry about side effects, but if these occur, they are mild, said Dr. Shane, We have data that receiving both vaccines at the same time also results in good protection.

Getting a yearly flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect everyone.

Flu shots:

Are safe and protect children.