Who Should and Should Not Get Seasonal Flu Shot

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Centers for Disease Control has issued guidelines for who should and should not receive which types of seasonal flu vaccine.

Seasonal flu vaccines contain three viruses: one type-A virus (also called H3N2), one regular seasonal A virus (called H1N1, not the 2009 H1N1 virus) and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on scientists’ estimates about which types will circulate each year.

The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, commonly called Swine Flu. The seasonal flu shot is given with a needle, usually in the arm, and contains a killed virus. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than six months. It is approved for healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. Flu shot side effects include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site; fever and body aches.

The nasal spray seasonal flu vaccine is made with weakened, live flu viruses. It is sometimes called LAIV, for live attenuated influenza vaccine. It is also commonly known as FluMist. The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in healthy people ages two to 49 years who are not pregnant. FluMist side effects include runny nose and headache. Children might also experience wheezing, vomiting, muscle aches and fever. Adults might also experience sore throat and cough.

These People Should Get a Seasonal Flu Vaccine

The CDC says people who should get the seasonal flu vaccine each year are:

1. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
2. Pregnant women
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
        a. Health care workers
        b. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
        c. Household contacts and caregivers of children less than five years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children
        less than six months of age (these children are at higher risk of flu-related complications)

These People Should Consult a Physician Before Getting a Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Certain people should not get the seasonal flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)