Flu Shots 101

Anyone at risk for the flu should have a flu shot. For seasonal flu, this includes:

• Children ages 6 months to 18 years
• Adults over age 50
• People living in a long term care facility
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with frequent exposure to the general public (health care workers, emergency personnel, etc.)
• Pregnant women
• Anyone with a chronic medical condition
• Caregivers or family members in close contact with high risk individuals

Those at high risk for complications from H1N1 swine flu are slightly different than those at high risk from the seasonal flu. Recommendations for who should receive the H1N1 swine flu vaccine first include:

• Pregnant women
• Health care and emergency medical service providers
• People who live with or care for children under 6 months old
• People between 6 months and 24 years old
• People ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical problems or suppressed immune systems

After these people receive the vaccine, healthy adults ages 25 to 64 should receive it, and then adults over age 65 should have it as well.

Anyone with:

• An allergy to eggs
• Fever
• History of Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Previous adverse reaction to a flu shot
• Infants under 6 months old

Seasonal flu shots generally become available in the fall, between September and November.

The first doses of H1N1 swine flu vaccine were available starting in October 2009.

You should get a flu shot as soon as it becomes available if you are at high risk for the flu, although December and even later is not too late to get it. The vaccine takes two weeks to become effective after it is given.

The seasonal flu vaccine is different every year because the formula is changed based on the previous year's strain of influenza virus. Therefore, it is important to get a flu shot every year.

Learn more about how flu shots work.

There are many options when you are trying to figure out where to find a flu shot. The best place to receive your flu shot is at your doctor's office. Your doctor should know your medical history and will know if there is any reason you should not have a flu shot. Flu shots may also be available at:

• Pharmacies
• Walk in clinics
• Grocery store clinics
• Hospitals
• Local Health Department
• Check your local newspaper or the Flu Clinic Locator for flu shot clinics around your city

The flu vaccine is generally given as a shot in the upper arm or thigh (in children). It is also available as a nasal spray vaccine, but the inhaled form is not for use by children under 2 years old, adults over 49, people with weakened immune systems, or people with asthma.

Most side effects from the flu shot are minor. Some of the more common side effects include:

• Low grade fever
• Soreness at injection site
• Decreased energy

If you experience any:

• Severe swelling
• Difficulty breathing
• Numbness

Contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room, these are signs of allergy or serious complications and could be fatal.

_{"Q&A: 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine." H1N1 Flu 16 Oct 09. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 19 Oct 09.}