However, as the flu can be serious , vaccination is the preferred route to immunity. The two types of flu viruses that contribute to the annual flu epidemic are influenza A and influenza B. You can learn more about these two types of influenza here. Proteins called surface hemagglutinin surround the flu virus.
These proteins attach to the cells in the human body and allow the virus to infect the person. People develop immunity to the flu virus when the body creates antibodies against the surface hemagglutinin protein. When a person has exposure to the virus, antibodies against the surface hemagglutinin protect them by stopping the virus from attaching to the cells in the lungs and causing infection.
Vaccine manufacturers develop immunizations with this concept in mind. By exposing people to the killed or weakened viruses, the immune system can produce antibodies against the surface hemagglutinins. Every year, people should contact a doctor or pharmacist to check whether they can receive the flu shot.
Doctors and other healthcare professionals can help people determine whether the flu shot is safe for them. In rare cases, people may experience concerning side effects after receiving the flu shot, and they might require medical attention. Side effects that may be a cause for concern include:. These effects typically occur within minutes or hours of receiving the vaccine.
Anyone experiencing these severe side effects should seek emergency medical attention. Some people may experience mild side effects after receiving the flu shot. However, these side effects are significantly less severe than the symptoms of the flu. Even otherwise healthy people are at risk of complications, hospitalization, and death if they catch the seasonal flu.
In rare situations, people may experience severe side effects or allergic reactions. These effects typically occur immediately after vaccination, and doctors can manage them with medication.
Anyone who has a severe reaction to a flu vaccine will not be eligible to receive another one in the future. The more vaccinated people in the population, the less the virus spreads from person to person. Herd immunity protects people who cannot receive the flu shot.
Influenza A and B are the most common types of flu in humans. Here, learn about the differences between influenza A and B, including their symptoms…. There is no sure way to avoid the flu, but there are many ways to minimize exposure, build up immunity, and reduce the risk of infection.
Learn more…. Flu is a respiratory illness that a virus causes. Signs of serious allergic reaction can include breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the shot. These reactions can occur among persons who are allergic to something that is in the vaccine, such as egg protein or other ingredients. While severe reactions are uncommon, you should let your doctor, nurse, clinic, or pharmacist know if you have a history of allergy or severe reaction to influenza vaccine or any part of flu vaccine.
This is much lower than the risk of severe complications from flu, which can be prevented by flu vaccine. Reports are welcome from all concerned individuals: patients, parents, health care providers, pharmacists and vaccine manufacturers.
Flu vaccine side effects are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. There are several reasons why someone might get flu symptoms, even after they have been vaccinated against flu. Some people who get vaccinated may still get sick.
However, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick:. For these reasons, CDC continues to recommend flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older even if vaccine effectiveness against one or more viruses is reduced.
People who have a history of severe egg allergy those who have had any symptom other than hives after exposure to egg should be vaccinated in a medical setting, supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic reactions. Two completely egg-free ovalbumin-free flu vaccine options are available: quadrivalent recombinant vaccine and quadrivalent cell-based vaccine.
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Is there more than one type of flu shot available? Quadrivalent flu vaccines include: Standard-dose quadrivalent influenza shots that are manufactured using virus grown in eggs. Different influenza shots are licensed for different age groups. These four vaccines are approved for people 6 months of age and older. Most influenza shots are given in an arm muscle with a needle. One quadrivalent influenza shot Afluria Quadrivalent can be given either with a needle for people aged 6 months and older or with a jet injector for people aged 18 through 64 years only.
A quadrivalent cell-based influenza shot Flucelvax Quadrivalent containing virus grown in cell culture, which is licensed for people 4 years and older. This vaccine is egg-free. Recombinant quadrivalent influenza shot Flublok Quadrivalent , an egg-free vaccine, approved for people 18 years and older.
A quadrivalent flu shot using an adjuvant an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response , Fluad Quadrivalent, approved for people 65 years of age and older. A quadrivalent high-dose influenza vaccine Fluzone High-Dose, which contains a higher dose of antigen to help create a stronger immune response, licensed for people 65 years and older.
A live attenuated influenza vaccine FluMist Quadrivalent , which is given intranasally. Back to Vaccinations. The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It's offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu. Find out about the children's flu vaccine. The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading.
But you can get the vaccine later. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu. If you are offered both vaccines, it's safe to have them at the same time. If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery.
This will be done for you. If you're eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can book an appointment at your GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers it on the NHS. You may also get an invitation to get the vaccine, but you do not have to wait for this before booking an appointment.
GP surgeries and pharmacies get the flu vaccine in batches. If you cannot get an appointment straight away, ask if you can book an appointment for when more vaccines are available. If you have an appointment for a COVID booster vaccine at a GP surgery or pharmacy, you may also be offered a flu vaccine at the same time. Do not delay booking your flu vaccine appointment so that you can get both vaccines together.
Only some people will be offered both vaccines at the same time. The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition, including:.
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