Who Can Get A Free Flu Vaccine
You can get a free flu vaccine if you are:
- aged 50 to 64 years
- living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
- in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl
People aged 50 to 64 have been added to the free flu vaccine programme until the end of April 2022.
People with these conditions can also get a free flu vaccine:
- chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome
- chronic liver disease
- chronic kidney failure
- chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
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How To Avoid A Sore Arm After A Flu Shot
Its flu season, which means many of us are heading to our doctor or local clinic for a flu shot . As we continue to battle COVID-19, flu shots are more important than ever before.
No one wants to be hit with both viruses. The good news is that with one flu shot each fall, you can significantly lower your chances by 40% to 60% of contracting the flu .
But are you one of the few who walks away from your shot feeling like youve been punched in the arm? Not everyone gets a sore arm, but it is common, and the reason actually may surprise you.
Some individuals may develop swelling, a mild, low-grade fever and some moderate pain localized to where they received the shot, said Devin Minior, MD, chief medical officer for Banner Urgent Care. This is a natural response, and it means that your body’s immune system is working to build up a defense against the flu virus.
What Should I Do If I Think I Am Having A Severe Reaction To A Flu Vaccine
If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that cant wait, call 9-1-1 and get to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.
Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System . Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS websiteexternal icon, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
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Paralysis After Flu Shots: What You Need To Know About This Vaccine Injury
Paralysis after a flu shot is an uncommon but serious condition that can have lasting implications for your health and wellness. Also known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome, this paralysis happens when your bodys immune system attacks your nerves. The CDC estimates that up to 6,000 people a year may develop Guillain-Barre Syndrome after receiving their annual flu vaccine, but the number of people who develop milder symptoms that go undiagnosed may be much higher.
Rare Side Effects Of The Influenza Vaccine
There is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction to any vaccine. This is why you are advised to stay at the clinic, medical surgery, or pharmacy for at least 15 minutes following vaccination in case further treatment is required.
Apart from anaphylaxis, other extremely rare side effects include in children.
A small increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome was seen in the US in 1976, but since that time, surveillance has shown that it is limited to one case for every million doses of the flu vaccine, if at all.
If any other reactions are severe and persistent, or if you are worried, contact your doctor for further information.
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Are There Ways To Lessen Arm Pain After Your Flu Vaccine
You’ve probably heard a lot that you should move your arm after you get vaccinated, and experts say that’s sound advice. “Moving it helps with blood flow to the arm, allows for the immune cells to get in, do their jobrecognize the foreign antigenand get out,” Alan explained.
Dr. Adalja pointed out that there are no studies on just how often you should move your arm after your shot, but Holmes suggested aiming to get a little movement and stretching in there every hour for about six hours after your shot.
At the same time, Dr. Schaffner advised against working your arm too hard after you’re vaccinated: “I don’t recommend going to the gym right afterward and lifting.”
If you still develop soreness after moving your arm, you can try putting ice on the spot, Timothy Murphy, MD, senior associate dean for clinical and translational research at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine, told Health. “Ice can help with the inflammation,” Dr. Murphy added. And if you’re still uncomfortable after that, Dr. Murphy said it’s OK to take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug , like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Just don’t stress right away and assume something is wrong if you develop a sore arm. “It’s a sign that your body is making an immune response,” Dr. Murphy said. “It’s a good thing.” However, if you experience a sore arm for a prolonged period of time after your shot, contact your healthcare provider.
How Can A Vaccine Injection Cause A Shoulder Injury
Research and case studies suggest that SIRVA is caused by improper administration of the vaccine, rather than the vaccine components. It is recommended that injections be administered into the deltoid muscle in the upper arm for adults. However, even trained medical professionals can misjudge the placement of an injection, placing it too high or too deep, outside of the recommended injection site.
A shoulders musculoskeletal structures includes tendons, ligaments, bone and bursa fluid-filled sacs that provide lubrication to the joint. Improper injection into the shoulder can cause inflammation and swelling, scarring, or other damage. The resulting conditions fall in the category of SIRVA.
SIRVA does not refer to one single medical diagnosis, but refers to a broader category of shoulder injuries and conditions. Some of the shoulder conditions included in the SIRVA category are:
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Tendonitis
These injuries are generally characterized by pain and limitation of movement. For example, people suffering from Adhesive Capsulitis, also known as Frozen Shoulder, experience pain and a progressive loss of range of motion, making it difficult or impossible to raise their arm above a certain level. The shoulder seems frozen, unable to move beyond a specific point.
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How Do You Make Shots Not Hurt At All
Minimizing the Pain
Why Does My Arm Still Hurt Weeks After A Flu Shot 2020
Roughly half the flu shots administered this year are quadrivalent, so perhaps that accounts for the sore arms. Shoulder pain and limited range of motion that come on suddenly after a vaccination is believed to be due to an injury to the tendons, ligaments or bursa of the shoulder from a badly aimed needle.
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Soothe Redness And Inflammation With A Cold Compress And Tylenol
You can also cool the injection site down with a clean washcloth soaked in cold water, according to the CDC.
On Twitter, Dr. Lipi Roy, an internal medicine physician in New York City, suggested an ice pack and over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen since they reduce inflammation.
Use them after your vaccine appointment, unless your doctor has cleared you to take them before, said Roy.
The Vaccine Cant Give You Flu
You cant get the flu from the flu jab. The flu vaccine doesnt contain any live viruses so it cant give you flu.
It takes up to twoweeks for the body to develop protection against flu.If youve been infected with the flu before or soon after having the vaccine, you can still get the flu. If these symptoms continue or get worse, talk to your healthcare provider or callHealthline on
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Diagnosing Shoulder Tendonitis From A Vaccine
If the injured person’s shoulder pain does not resolve in a short period of time, it is likely a serious injury. A person suffering from lingering shoulder pain following a vaccination should see their primary care physician as soon as possible. The primary doctor will likely refer the injured person to an orthopedic doctor who specializes in shoulder injuries. In order to diagnose the injury, the orthopedic doctor will often order an MRI of the shoulder to be done. MRI’s are the most effective testing method when it comes to diagnosing shoulder injuries. The MRI may show inflammation, fluid collection, or swelling. After the orthopedic reviews the MRI, they can prescribe a specific course of therapy for the shoulder injury.
Who Can Have The Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who:
- are 50 and over
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get infections
- frontline health or social care workers
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Can You Suffer An Injury Following The Flu Vaccine
Yes, it is possible to suffer an injury following the flu vaccine. The most common injuries are minor and include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, body aches, headache, and nausea.
These side effects usually start within a day or two of getting the vaccine and go away within a few days.
Although rare, there are also some more serious injuries that can occur after getting a flu shot. Some examples include:
- Bronchial neuritis
- Median or ulnar nerve injury
- Chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy
Each of these injuries is caused by the vaccines reaction to the nerve endings in your muscle. If you experience any numbness, weakness, or paralysis of your arm or hand after getting a flu shot, its important to see a doctor right away.
Who Should Get Immunised Against Influenza
Everyone who is able to be vaccinated, should be vaccinated against the flu, every year.
Yearly flu vaccination is provided free through the National Immunisation Program for most people in the community who are at an increased risk of serious complications.
In Victoria, flu vaccination is free for:
- children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months and over
- pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- people 65 years and over.
- people aged six months and older with medical conditions putting them at increased risk of severe influenza and its complications:
- cardiac disease
- children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
People not eligible for free flu vaccination under the National Immunisation Program can purchase the flu vaccine from their immunisation provider.
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What Can You Do To Limit Your Discomfort
Before the shot:
- Take three to five deep breaths. This will help relax your muscles, including your deltoid.
- Distract yourself. Eat some sugary candy or chew gum. This will release feel-good chemicals called endorphins that can reduce your perception of pain.
- Limit your psychological discomfort. Look away if youre afraid of needles. Tell the health care provider that you dont want to know when he or she is about to deliver the shot.
- Choose wisely: Ask to get the shot in your non-dominant arm. That way, you wont aggravate the muscle as you do day-to-day activities.
- Use a pain reliever: Ice your arm for a few minutes and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
After the shot:
- Apply pressure. Compression can be helpful for reducing inflammation.
- Use cold and warm compresses. Ice the area to reduce any swelling. After a few days, try a warm compress to relax your deltoid muscle and improve your blood flow.
- Use a pain reliever. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if pain develops in the days after you get the shot.
- Keep moving. Use your arm, dont baby it. You want to get blood flowing to the area.
Getting your annual flu shot can protect you, your loved ones, and those around you from the flu and its complications. You may experience some soreness in the days after getting vaccinated, but the tips weve provided here should help you recover. If you develop more serious complicationssuch as a high fever, wheezing, hives, or weaknesscall your doctor or seek medical attention.
What Happens If A Shot Is Given Incorrectly
âA vaccine is an immunologically sensitive substance, and if you were to receive an injection too high â in the wrong place â you could get pain, swelling and reduced range of motion in that area,â says Tom Shimabukuro, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization safety office.
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Who Should Not Have The Flu Vaccine
Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.
You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs.
Ask a GP or pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine.
If you’re ill with a high temperature, it’s best to wait until you’re better before having the flu vaccine.
What To Know About Getting A Flu Shot This Year
Doctors stress that any soreness from the flu shot should be minimal and last only a day or two.
Overall, the flu shot shouldn’t hurt all that much and getting the flu will always be worse than a little bit of soreness.
Experts say that it’s especially important to get the flu vaccine this year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help rule out the influenza as a possibility in the event a patient gets sick, and also to keep hospitals clear in case coronavirus cases spike.
“This season more than ever, eliminating all possibilities for illness is that much more important,” Deutsch said.
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Managing Side Effects After Immunisation
Common side effects following immunisation are usually mild and temporary . Specific treatment is not usually required. There are several treatment options that can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including:
- Drinking extra fluids and not overdressing if there is a fever.
- Although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended, if pain and fever are present, paracetamol can be given check the label for the correct dose or speak with your pharmacist .
Is The Nasal Spray As Effective As The Flu Shot
In the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against getting the nasal spray vaccine.
The reason for this was because studies in children found that it was less effective than the flu shot for protecting against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza strains.
However, there have been recent advances in the production of the nasal spray vaccine.
Since the 2018 to 2019 flu season, the
- people with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or cancer
- those with weakened immune systems
- individuals living in a nursing home or long-term care facility
Getting your flu shot is also particularly important in light of COVID-19. Both the flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms and will circulate within communities this winter.
While the flu vaccine wont protect you from COVID-19, it can help prevent you from getting the flu.
In addition to keeping you out of the doctors office, this can also conserve medical resources for those that have COVID-19 or other health conditions.
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Do You Have A Vaccine Shoulder Injury
Shoulder Tendonitis after a Flu shot? You’re not alone – it is one of the most common vaccine shoulder injuries eligible for compensation under the VICP.
shoulder pain after a vaccine?
Shoulder Tendonitis from vaccine administration happens often.
View our eBook below for everything you need to know.
Some People May Need More Than One Influenza Vaccine Each Year
There are some people who are recommended to have a second dose of the flu vaccine within the space of one year.
These include:
- Children less than 9 years receiving their flu vaccine for the first time require 2 doses 4 weeks apart for an adequate immune response.
- People who have had a haematopoietic stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant and are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time after transplant.
- Pregnant women, who may be vaccinated with the next seasons flu vaccine if it becomes available in the latter part of their pregnancy, even if they were vaccinated with the previous seasons vaccine prior to or earlier in pregnancy.
- Overseas travellers, who may benefit from a second dose of this seasons flu vaccine if going to the northern hemisphere winter and receiving the northern hemisphere formulation there is not feasible.
Please check with your GP, pharmacist, or other immunisation provider to find out whether you fall into one of these categories.
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This Years Flu Jab And The Covid
The COVID-19 vaccinations and the flu vaccines have very similar side effects, although the flu vaccine rarely causes nausea. The Government are still to announce whether flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be given together to help boost protection.
If youre worried about the side effects of each vaccine, see below for the most common side effects. You can also speak to one of our pharmacy team when you get your flu jab.
| Vaccination |