Flu Vaccine

Influenza is commonly referred to as “the flu.” Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Influenza viruses can cause infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Each year, seasonal strains of virus cause outbreaks of the infection.

While it may cause mild illness in some people, it can also cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. Even healthy individuals can become seriously ill from the flu.

Influenza typically spreads from person to person when someone infected coughs, sneezes, or talks. You also can contract the virus by handling an object touched by an infected person.

People infected with the flu can spread the virus to others even before they know they’re sick. You may be contagious as early as one day before symptoms appear and remain contagious for up to five to seven days after becoming ill.

Flu can cause mild to severe illness and usually come on suddenly. Symptoms of influenza include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults

However, not everyone with the flu has symptoms.

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season, with rare exceptions. Vaccination is especially important for individuals at higher risk of serious flu-related complications.

Those at increased risk include:

• People 65 years and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (asthma, diabetes or heart disease, etc.)
• Pregnant women
• Children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old

Although certain groups are more vulnerable, it’s important to remember that healthy individuals are also hospitalized and die from influenza each year.

Flu vaccination is not recommended for:

• Children younger than 6 months of age, as they are too young to be vaccinated
• Individuals with a severe, life-threatening allergy to any ingredient in the flu vaccine (excluding egg proteins)
• Those who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the flu vaccine

Most side effects following flu vaccination are mild. The most common side effects from flu vaccines are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the vaccine was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur. If these reactions occur, they usually begin soon after vaccination and last 1-2 days.

The most common reactions people have to flu vaccines are considerably less severe than the symptoms caused by actual flu illness.

Yes. If you get sick with the flu, antiviral medications may be a treatment option. These prescription drugs can help reduce the severity of illness and shorten the duration of symptoms. They may also help prevent serious complications, such as pneumonia.

Antiviral medications work best when started early, ideally within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. They are available by prescription only and come in various forms.

Most people who get the flu experience mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral treatment. In these cases, staying home, resting, and avoiding contact with others, except to seek medical care, is usually sufficient.

However, if you are at higher risk for flu-related complications, are severely ill, or are concerned about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Early treatment is especially important for those at increased risk.

The best way to protect yourself from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get a flu vaccine every year, ideally by the end of October.

In addition to vaccination, everyday actions to stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• If you are sick, limit contact with others to avoid spreading the virus
• Stay home for at least 24 hours until your symptoms improve and you are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Wash your hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

Yes. There is strong evidence that the flu vaccine is safe during pregnancy for both mom and baby. In fact, flu vaccines have been safely administered to millions of pregnant women over the past 50+ years.

Pregnancy causes changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs that make individuals more vulnerable to complications from the flu. Getting the flu while pregnant increases the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and even death. It also raises the chances of pregnancy-related complications, such as preterm labor and preterm birth. Fever during pregnancy—regardless of the cause—has also been linked to adverse outcomes.

Getting vaccinated during pregnancy not only helps protect you, but it also passes protective antibodies to your baby. These antibodies can help shield your newborn from the flu during their first few months of life, when they are too young to be vaccinated themselves.

People at increased risk include:

• Adults 65 and older
• Children under 5, especially under 2
  • Infants under 6 months are at the highest risk but are too young to be vaccinated, highlighting the importance of protecting those around them.
• Pregnant individuals and those up to 2 weeks postpartum
• People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems
• Individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 40) or certain disabilities affecting lung or muscle function
• Residents of long-term care facilities and people from some racial and ethnic minority groups (e.g., Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native)