Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

Influenza can be a serious disease. It is caused by a virus that spreads from infected people to the nose or throat of others. Influenza can cause fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, and muscle aches.

The Influenza vaccine can prevent the Flu. Influenza viruses change often, so the influenza vaccine must be updated each year. Protection develops within 2 weeks after vaccination and lasts about 6 months. Some people who get the flu vaccine may still get the flu, but they will usually get a milder case than those who were not vaccinated.

The Flu vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the pneumococcal vaccine, and is recommended for:

• Everyone 50 years of age or older.
• Residents of long-term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions.
• Anyone who has a long-term health problem with heart, lung, or kidney disease, asthma, metabolic disease (like diabetes), and anemia or other blood disorders.
• Anyone with a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or any immune system disease, long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids, or cancer treatment with X-Ray or drugs.
• Pregnant women who will be past the 3rd month of pregnancy during the Flu season (usually November - March).

An annual Flu shot is also encouraged for:

• Healthy children 6 - 23 months and their caretakers.
• Caretakers if infants less than 6 months of age.
• People who provide essential community services.
• People who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September, or who travel to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time like *Spring Break Travelers*.
• *People living in dormitories* or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks.
• Anyone who wants to reduce their chance of catching influenza.

The best time to get a Flu shot is in October or November but vaccination in December, or even later, can be beneficial in most years.

You should consult your physician before receiving a Flu shot if you:

• ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous dose of influenza vaccine.
• are allergic to thimerisol (mercury-based preservative also used in contact solution).
• have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).

If you have a fever or are severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled, you should probably wait until you recover before getting the vaccine.

Serious problems resulting from receiving the Flu vaccine are rare. The viruses in the vaccine have been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. Mild problems may include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, fever, and aches. These symptoms usually begin soon after the shot and may last 1-2 days.