Minimum Age For Flu Vaccine

I Heard That The Flu Vaccine Was Not Very Effective Why Should I Get It If Its Not Effective

While vaccine effectiveness can vary, studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine. It is also the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness. Remember, if you dont get a vaccine at all, thats 0% effective.

Flu Vaccines For Children And Young People

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/which-flu-vaccine-should-children-have/flu-vaccines-for-children-and-young-people

There are 3 types of flu vaccine available for children and young people in 2021 to 2022 the nasal spraylive attenuated influenza vaccine , the injected inactivated egg grown influenza vaccine and theinjected inactivated cell grown influenza vaccine .

Vaccine type by age group is shown below.

Who Should Get A Flu Shot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Flu vaccination is especially important for adults 65 years and older, who account for most hospitalizations and deaths from flu. High dose flu shots are recommended for adults age 65 and over.

High-dose flu shots are recommended for adults age 65 and over. High-dose flu vaccines will be available at any Michigan Medicines regional flu clinics and at Michigan Medicine health centers. No special scheduling request is necessary beyond the standard flu shot appointment.

Read Also: How Bad Is The Flu

What Are The Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine

Common side effects of the flu vaccine include: soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, nausea, and muscle aches.

Less common side effects may include: fainting, Guillain-Barre syndrome , and allergic reactions.

Egg Allergy: Eggs are used in the production of some flu vaccines. Those who experience only hives after eating eggs or egg-containing products may still receive any flu vaccine formulation appropriate for their age and health status. Those with a more severe egg allergy should only receive a flu shot in a medical facility that is prepared to handle a severe allergic reaction .

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children less than 6 months of age .
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health care provider.

Recommended Reading: Flu Shots For Pregnant Mothers

What Else You Should Know

To 2022 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine: Mobile Guide For Health Professionals

Important notice: This guidance is based on currently available scientific evidence and expert opinion. The content will be reviewed regularly and updates will be made as necessary throughout the influenza season as the public health context evolves and new evidence emerges.

The following is a summary of recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization .

Don’t Miss: What Is A Flu Block

Keeping Our Patients Safe From The Flu

Michigan Medicine has joined dozens of health care institutions throughout the country in requiring staff to be vaccinated against flu or to wear a protective mask during any patient interaction during flu season. The requirement is designed to help protect the health of our patients and their families and will especially protect the many people we care for who have serious medical conditions and weakened immune systems.

FOR EMPLOYEES: Please visit our employee flu prevention site for more details for more information about our employee flu shot policy and upcoming employee flu shot clinics.

How Does Flu Spread

Flu spreads mainly by droplets when people who have flu talk, cough, or sneeze, and these droplets land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or are inhaled. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

People can spread flu to others from one day before they have symptoms to 5-7 days after they get sick. This can be longer in children and people who are very sick.

Read Also: What Is A Quad Flu Shot

Groups Who Should Especially Get The Vaccine

The flu shot can protect you against the flu. Because of this, it can reduce your chances of being infected with COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. This can lead to serious complications. You should especially receive the flu vaccine this season if youre:

• at high risk of severe COVID-19 related illness
• capable of spreading the flu to those at high risk of severe illness related to COVID-19

The flu vaccine is especially important for the following groups.

What Vaccines Protect Against Flu

For the 2020-2021 flu season, CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.

• Flu shots can be given to your child 6 months and older.
• The nasal spray vaccine can be given to people 2 through 49 years of age. However, certain people with underlying medical conditions should not get the nasal spray vaccine.

Your childs doctor will know which vaccines are right for your child.

Don’t Miss: Age Restriction Flu Shot Cvs

Individuals With Symptoms Of Covid

During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals should postpone influenza vaccination until they have recovered if they have:

• acute symptoms of COVID-19
• any symptoms of acute respiratory infection, including minor symptoms such as sore throat or runny nose

This is because they can pose an unnecessary risk to others and healthcare providers if they have COVID-19. Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms should visit a healthcare professional or contact their local public health authority for information on getting tested.

What Is A Senior Flu Shot

People 65 and older are at the highest risk for complications from influenza. About half of flu-related hospitalizations and up to 85% of flu-related deaths are in this age group. Because of that, its critical that they get their flu shot.

This age group, like everyone else, will need a flu shot each year. A person’s protection wanes over time, and each year the vaccine is tailored to the most prominent flu strains. September and October are the best times to get the senior flu shot, but you can get it later in the season too.

A person 65 and older can get any available flu shot approved for that age group. However, they shouldnt get the nasal spray vaccine. In addition, they might benefit from vaccines specifically designed for people 65 and older.

You May Like: Can You Test For The Flu

People With Medical Conditions That Increase Their Risk Of Influenza

People aged 6 months with medical conditions specified in this List. Medical conditions associated with an increased risk of influenza disease and severe outcomes are strongly recommended to receive annual influenza vaccine.

People with these specific medical conditions have a higher risk of influenza or severe outcomes from influenza .9-29

People who have received a transplant

People who have had a haematopoietic stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant and are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time after transplant are recommended to receive:

• 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart the 1st time they receive influenza vaccine after the transplant
• 1 dose each year after that

Vaccine doses for people with the risk conditions in this list are funded under the NIP unless otherwise noted.

Pregnant women are strongly recommended to receive influenza vaccine in each pregnancy.

All People Aged 6 Months

Registered for use in people aged 6 months.

Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine

Each 0.5 mL monodose pre-filled syringe contains:

• 15 µg haemagglutinin of each of the 4 recommended influenza virus strains
• 0.05 µg ovalbumin

Registered for use in people aged 6 months.

Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine

Each 0.5 mL monodose pre-filled syringe contains:

• 15 µg haemagglutinin of each of the 4 recommended influenza virus strains
• 100 µg formaldehyde

Registered for use in people aged 6 months.

Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine

Each 0.5 mL monodose pre-filled syringe contains:

• 15 µg haemagglutinin of each of the 4 recommended influenza virus strains

Also contains traces of:

Registered for use in people aged 3 years.

Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine

Each 0.5 mL monodose pre-filled syringe contains:

• 15 µg haemagglutinin of each of the 4 recommended influenza virus strains
• 100 ng ovalbumin

Registered for use in people aged 5 years.

Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine

Each 0.5 mL monodose pre-filled syringe contains:

• 15 µg haemagglutinin of each of the 4 recommended influenza virus strains
• < 1 µg ovalbumin

Registered for use in people aged 9 years.

Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine

Each 0.5 mL monodose pre-filled syringe contains:

• 15 µg haemagglutinin of each of the 4 recommended influenza virus strains

May contain traces of:

Registered for use in people aged 65 years.

Adjuvanted quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine

Recommended Reading: Are Flu Vaccines Mandatory For Nurses

Ii Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter On Influenza: Clinical Information For Vaccine Providers

The Canadian Immunization Guide is written primarily for health care providers but it is also used by policy makers, program planners, and the general public. The CIG has been a trusted, reader-friendly summary of the vaccine statements provided by NACI since 1979.

The information in this section replaces the influenza chapter of the CIG and is adapted for inclusion in the NACI Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. With a new NACI Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine required each year, readers will have quick access to the information that they require within one document, whether it is the relevant influenza vaccine information written primarily for frontline vaccine providers as is found in this section, or the more detailed technical information that is found in the rest of this statement, commencing in Section III.

Side Effects Of The Children’s Flu Vaccine

The nasal spray flu vaccine for children is very safe. Most side effects are mild and do not last long, such as:

• a runny or blocked nose
• a headache

If your child has the injected flu vaccine, side effects include:

• a sore arm where the injection was given
• a slightly raised temperature

These side effects usually last for a day or 2.

It’s rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine. If they do, it usually happens within minutes.

The person who vaccinates you or your child will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

Also Check: How Old Is The Flu Shot

When Should I Get A Flu Shot

It is best to get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begin spreading in your community, so you have begun developing influenza antibodies to protect you against contracting the flu.

The CDC recommends that you get a flu shot by the end of October, but its not too late to benefit from some level of protection even as late as January.

NOTE: COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines may be administered at the same visit. You may receive both vaccines safely, with no wait time in between. However, at Michigan Medicine, the two vaccines must each be scheduled.

What Is The Recommended Site And Needle Length For Giving Influenza Vaccine To Adults By Intramuscular Injection

• Use a – to 1-inch needle for men and women who weigh less than 130 pounds . Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle and stretch the skin flat between thumb and forefinger.
• Use a 1-inch needle for men and women who weigh 130152 pounds .
• Use a 1- to 1½-inch needle for women who weigh 152200 pounds and men who weigh 152260 pounds .
• Use a 1½-inch needle for women who weigh more than 200 pounds and men who weigh more than 260 pounds .

CDC has vaccine administration resources for clinicians administering influenza vaccine, including a needle length and gauge chart and demonstration videos for intramuscular injection and intranasal administration.

Additional information on vaccine administration and safe injection practices can be found in the following resources:

Don’t Miss: When Are You Supposed To Get Your Flu Shot

I Still Got The Flu After The Flu Vaccine Why Should I Get The Flu Vaccine This Year

Although the flu vaccine wont prevent every case of the flu, getting an annual vaccination is the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness. Getting the flu vaccine may make illness milder. A 2017 study in Clinical Infectious Diseases showed that influenza vaccination reduced deaths, intensive care unit admissions, ICU length of stay, and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized influenza patients.

A flu shot cannot cause flu illness. If you get flu-like symptoms after receiving the flu vaccine, there may be a few reasons why you have a low grade fever, and headache, including that they may be mild side-effects of the vaccine. If you get diagnosed with the flu shortly after receiving the flu vaccine, you may have been exposed to the flu virus beforehand, as it takes approximately two weeks for the vaccine to work.

Can Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Be Given At The Same Time As Other Vaccines Such As Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Or Zoster Vaccines

Yes if other vaccines are indicated, they can be administered during the same clinical encounter as inactivated influenza vaccine. When giving several injections at a single visit, administer each vaccine at a separate injection site. The injection sites should be separated by 1 inch or more, if possible, so that any local reactions can be differentiated.

Don’t Miss: How Late Can I Get A Flu Shot At Cvs

Where Can I Get A Flu Shot

• Visit your health department or a retail pharmacy in your community.
• Look for a community flu shot clinic:
• University of Michigan Health walk-in flu clinics for patients 9 years and older: View the 2021 Flu Immunization Clinic Calendar for a list of these clinics.
• Michigan Medicine Community Health Services drive-thru clinics for adults 19 years and older: View the CHS Drive-Thru Flu Clinic flyer for dates and locations.

Should I Repeat A Dose Of Injectable Influenza Vaccine Administered By An Incorrect Route

Yes if a formulation labeled for intramuscular injection is given by the subcutaneous or intradermal route, it should be repeated. The dose may be administered as soon as possible. There is no minimum interval required between the invalid dose and the repeat dose.

Administering vaccine by the wrong route is considered a vaccine administration error. Healthcare personnel should take steps to determine how the error occurred and put strategies in place to prevent it from happening in the future.

In addition, we encourage providers to report all vaccine administration errorseven those not associated with an adverse eventto the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System external icon. A discussion of strategies to prevent errors can be found in the Vaccine Administration chapter of Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases . Additional resources can be found on CDCs vaccine administration web page.

Recommended Reading: How To Stop Flu Virus From Spreading

Flu Shots For Children

For a child under age 18 to be vaccinated, a parent or guardian must be present and must bring prior immunization records. Parents are reminded that children younger than nine years of age who have not previously been vaccinated against the flu may need two doses of the flu vaccine given a month apart for full protection.

Vaccines for Children Program Parents can bring their children from six months through age 18 to DOH-Flagler for free flu vaccinations through the federally funded Vaccines for Children program. VFC-eligible children may receive flu shots as well as immunizations required for day care and school entry.