Influenza and Influenza Vaccine

What is the flu and what are the risks?

The flu is a serious, respiratory infection caused by a virus. The flu can cause a cough, fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue. Symptoms usually last from three to five days but can last longer. The cough and fatigue can last several weeks, making it hard to get back to regular activities.

People of all ages can get the flu. Most people are ill for only a few days, but some people get much sicker and need to see their doctor or go to the hospital. Complications of the flu can include pneumonia, and even death. These complications are most common in the elderly, the very young, and those with chronic health conditions.

The flu spreads by droplets through talking, coughing, and sneezing. It can also be spread by touching  surfaces that are contaminated with the virus. 

Who should get the flu shot?

Everyone can benefit from the flu shot. People who are at high risk for complications and those who spend time with high risk individuals should receive the vaccine.

The vaccine has been shown to provide protection against influenza infection and illness in studies using controlled conditions. Under real-world conditions, the effectiveness of the vaccine can vary from season to season. People who get the flu shot are more likely to be protected compared to those who are not.

Individuals who should not get the flu shot include:

• infants less than six months of age,
• anyone with a serious allergy to a component of the vaccine*,
• anyone who developed Guillian-Barre Syndrome within six to eight weeks of a previous flu shot,
• anyone who developed oculorespiratory syndrome (ORS) last year should discuss this with the nurse,

*Individuals with egg allergy may safely receive inactivated influenza vaccine

Who should delay getting the flu shot?

• Anyone with a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• Anyone who has received instructions from public health to self-isolate because of COVID-19.

What are the possible side effects of the flu shot?

• Most people have no side effects or some soreness, redness and swelling at the needle site.
• A few people may get a fever or muscle aches shortly after getting the flu shot and this can last for one to two days.
• Life-threatening allergic reactions are rare.

People at high risk for flu related complications include:

All pregnant individuals

• Adults and children with the following chronic health conditions:
  • cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma),
  • diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases,
  • cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease, therapy, or both),
  • renal disease,
  • anemia or hemoglobinopathy,
  • neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions (including seizure disorders, febrile seizures and isolated developmental delay), and
  • morbid obesity (i.e., body mass index (BMI) greater than 40).
• Children and adolescents (age 6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid, because of the potential increase of Reye's syndrome associated with influenza.
• People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
• People 65 years of age and older
• All children 6 to 59 months of age
• Indigenous people

People who can spread the flu to those at high risk include: 

• health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings who, through their activities, can spread the flu to those at high risk.
• household contacts (i.e., adults and children) of individuals at high risk, whether or not the individual at high risk has been immunized.
• people who provide essential community services, e.g., police and fire personnel, public utility, city workers, and emergency service workers,
• those providing regular child care to children 0-59 months of age, whether in or out of the home,
• those providing services to those at high risk within closed or relatively closed settings (e.g., cruise ship), and
• people in direct contact with poultry infected with avian influenza during culling operations.

When should I call my doctor?

You should call your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms within three days after receiving the vaccine:

• trouble breathing, hoarseness, wheezing, cough or chest tightness,
• swelling of the mouth, throat, or face,
• paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness,
• hives,
• bilateral red eyes, or
• any other unusual condition or serious reaction to the vaccine.