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Flu Vaccine: What You Need to Know
The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against:
-an influenza A H3N2 virus
-an influenza B virus
-the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season.
Over the years, hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. have safely received seasonal flu vaccines. Last flu season, about 80 million people in the U.S. also received the vaccine made to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, and the vaccine's safety was similar to that of seasonal flu vaccines.
Over the last 50 years, flu vaccines have been shown to be safe. Every year, CDC works closely with FDA, health care providers, state and local health departments, and other partners to ensure the highest safety standards for flu vaccines. CDC also works closely with FDA to ensure systems are in place to promptly detect unexpected health problems following vaccination.
The flu shot (also called inactivated influenza vaccine) cannot give you the flu. It is comprised of killed viruses. Most people generally do not experience any side effects from the flu shot. When they do occur, they are usually mild. The most common side effects from the flu shot, including the shot made to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus last season, are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot is given.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hold vaccines to the highest safety standards. The safety of flu vaccines is closely monitored with long-established systems that have demonstrated their usefulness in detecting vaccine safety problems. See http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/safety/.
-As with all vaccines, flu vaccine testing and safety monitoring are done in multiple phases.
-For vaccines to be approved, the manufacturing facilities and process must meet standards to make sure the purity and strength of the vaccine are appropriate. In addition, data from clinical trials help determine safety and the appropriate dosage of the vaccine to provide the best protection.
-After vaccines are approved, each batch is tested before it is released to check purity and strength. Several systems are in place to watch for possible side effects after vaccines are given.
The nasal spray flu vaccine has been offered for more than 7 years and can protect healthy people ages 2 through 49 years from the flu. The nasal spray vaccine cannot give you the flu. It is made from weakened flu viruses that can only infect the nasal passages. Most people don't have any side effects. When side effects do occur they tend to be mild, for example runny nose, cough, or nasal congestion. The nasal spray should not be given to pregnant women or persons with chronic medical conditions including asthma or children 2-4 years old with a history of wheezing.
Influenza Vaccine Fact Sheets
Flu Shot: English | Spanish
Nasal spray: English | Spanish