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What is the flu?
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus). The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
The H1N1 virus recommended for inclusion in the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine is a pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus and is the same vaccine virus as was used in the 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccine. For more information about 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu), please click here.
Who should get a flu shot?
On February 24, 2010 vaccine experts voted that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year starting with the 2010-2011 influenza season.
While anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu should get vaccinated, it is very important that persons who are at high risk of having serious seasonal flu-related complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications get vaccinated each year. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.
People at high risk who should get vaccinated each year are:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Who should not get a flu shot?
Talk with a doctor before getting a flu shot if you:
- Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous flu shot or
- Have a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome that occurred after receiving an influenza vaccine.
If you are sick with a fever when you go to get your flu shot, you should talk to your doctor or nurse about getting your shot at a later date. However, you can get a flu shot at the same time you have a respiratory illness without a fever or if you have another mild illness.
How effective is the flu shot?
In studies of the seasonal flu shot, when the "match" between vaccine viruses and circulating viruses is close, the vaccine has been shown to prevent influenza in about 70%-90% of healthy persons younger than age 65 years. Among elderly persons living outside chronic-care facilities (such as nursing homes) and those persons with long-term (chronic) medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), the flu shot has been shown to be between 30% and 70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia and influenza. Among elderly nursing home residents, the flu shot has been shown to be most effective in preventing severe illness, secondary complications, and deaths related to the flu. In this population, the vaccine has been shown to be between 50% and 60% effective in preventing hospitalization or pneumonia and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu.
Are there any risks associated with getting a flu shot?
The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, may cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions, in rare cases. Almost everyone who gets an influenza vaccine has no serious problems from it.
Can the flu shot give me the flu?
No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The viruses contained in flu shots are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making the vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people got flu shots and others got saltwater shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got the flu shot. There were no differences in terms of body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat.
Is the flu shot covered by Medicare?
Yes. The flu shot is a preventative service provided for all Medicare beneficiaries. If you have Medicare, you can get vaccinated once a flu season in fall or winter. It is free if you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B only). Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare HMO’s or PPO’s) should also cover the flu shot since they are required to cover what Original Medicare covers. However, please contact your insurance plan or medical group since some plans may require a co-payment.
Where can I get more information?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
(800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227)
877-486-2048 TTY
“Your Guide to Medicare Preventive Services”
Excerpted from Centers of Disease Control and Preventions “Seasonal Flu Shot Q&A”
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