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The influenza vaccine protects against the 4 most common influenza viruses, based on research regarding which influenza virus type will be most common in the upcoming flu season. 

As new types of influenza viruses can appear each year, the Influenza vaccine is upgraded each year to offer you optimal protection against the flu. Thus, vaccinations should be administered annually.

Getting the influenza vaccine reduces the likelihood of getting the flu, prevents severe complications like pneumonia, and lowers flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths. 

The influenza vaccine protects against the 4 most common influenza viruses, based on research regarding which influenza virus type will be most common in the upcoming flu season. 

As new types of influenza viruses can appear each year, the Influenza vaccine is upgraded each year to offer you optimal protection against the flu. Thus, vaccinations should be administered annually.

Getting the influenza vaccine reduces the likelihood of getting the flu, prevents severe complications like pneumonia, and lowers flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths. 

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Who should get vaccinated?

  • All healthcare workers.
  • Individuals aged 50 years and older.
  • Individuals aged 18-49 years with 1 or more medical conditions. 
  • Individuals with asthma
  • Household members in close contact with persons with high-risk conditions, including out-of-home caregivers of children <6 months of age.

Who shouldn’t get vaccinated?

  • Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu shot. 
  • People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in the influenza vaccine (other than egg proteins) should not get vaccinated. This might include ingredients like gelatin and antibiotics. 
  • People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine should not get that vaccine again. 

What are the side effects?

  • The influenza vaccine is safe and well-tolerated. Side effects are mild and last a few days. Common side effects include pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, headache, fever, muscle aches, joint pain or feeling tired. Side effects in children include irritability, drowsiness, or loss of appetite.

How long does protection from the vaccine last?

  • The flu shot offers protection against the flu for about 6 months.

When should I get vaccinated?

  • For non-immunocompromised individuals,only one dose of the influenza vaccine is typically needed for the season. The exact timing of the flu season varies from year to year.

Can I still get the flu after getting vaccinated?

  • It takes about 2 weeks for a person to develop immunity to influenza after receiving the influenza vaccine. During this time, it is possible that a person could be exposed to the flu virus and become sick. 
  • The influenza vaccine represents researchers’ best predictions about the 4 most common influenza virus strains for that year. However, a person may still get infected by a strain of influenza not included in the vaccine. Please note that one can still get infected with influenza after getting vaccinated, but symptoms will be less severe.

Can I get vaccinated if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

  • Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. They will discuss with you the benefits and risks of receiving the influenza vaccine when pregnant or breastfeeding.