How to Get a Flu Shot

Guide Note: With the flu season just around the corner, knowing How to Get a Flu Shot can help save you and your family the misery of having to deal with a bad case of the flu.

Disclaimer: The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the advice presented here. Table of Contents:

Introduction

Being sick is no fun (CC photo by Alicia)
Being sick is no fun (CC photo by Alicia)
  • Anyone who has ever had a nasty case of the flu will tell you: It's not a lot of fun. The fever, the body aches, the sore throat and dry cough, the missed work and the lack of energy. Basically a bummer all around! But you don't have to just wait around to get sick this flu season. Luckily, scientists have developed an influenza vaccine (usually administered as a Flu Shot) that can help boost your immune system's defences against the flu virus. Here is some information on how to protect yourself from the flu this season.

What Is A Flu Shot?

The Influenza Virus (CC photo by CDC/ Dr. F. A. Murphy)
The Influenza Virus (CC photo by CDC/ Dr. F. A. Murphy)


  1. Each Flu Shot contains an inactivated vaccine (in other words "a killed influenza virus") that works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that are used to fight the influenza virus.[3]
  2. Since common strains of influenza may change from year to year, each year's vaccine is specially designed to fight the most likely types and strains of the virus.[4]
    • Because influenza strains can change quickly, you will need to get a new Flu Shot every year.
  3. The influenza vaccine usually takes about two weeks to reach its full effectiveness.[5]
  4. Flu shots are administered with a needle, usually into the muscles in your arm.[6]

When To Get A Flu Shot

It's flu season! (CC photo by tanakawho)
It's flu season! (CC photo by tanakawho)
  1. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention recommend October or November as the ideal time for a vaccination.[8]
  2. November 26 - December 2, 2007 has been designated National Influenza Vaccination Week.[9]
  3. While earlier is better, the CDC says that you can still receive the vaccination in December or even later if necessary.[10]

Who Should Get A Flu Shot

Children and the elderly are most at risk for complications due to the flu (Creative Commons photo by Mikol)
Children and the elderly are most at risk for complications due to the flu (Creative Commons photo by Mikol)

High Risk Groups

  1. Pregnant Women
  2. Anyone over 50 years old
  3. Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old.
  4. People with chronic medical conditions, such as chronic lung or heart disorders, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS
  5. Health care workers and people who work in nursing homes or other assisted living facilities
  6. Police, Firefighters and other emergency response workers

Who Shouldn't Get A Flu Shot

  1. Children under 6 months old
  2. People who have an allergy to eggs (the ingredients for flu shots are grown in eggs)
  3. Anyone with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare immune-deficiency disorder
  4. People who've had an allergic reaction to past influenza vaccinations
  5. People who are sick with the fever should wait until they are healthy

Where To Get A Flu Shot

  • In contrast to previous years, when decreased vaccine supplies led to flu shot shortages, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that there should be plenty of influenza vaccine available for those that want it during the 2007-2008 flu season. In general, there are different types of facilities that offer flu shots, such as health care facilities (including doctor's offices, hospitals, and pediatrician's offices), pharmacies, clinics, community groups, churches, supermarkets and shopping malls. This year, USA Today reports that the cost of a flu shot can range anywhere from $18-25 dollars.
    Creative Commons photo by Belinda Hankins Miller
    Creative Commons photo by Belinda Hankins Miller
  • But before you go off and pay full price for a flu shot, check out these resources to see if you qualify for a free flu shot:
  1. Medical Insurance: If you have medical insurance, there is a good chance that they will cover the cost of a flu shot. KidsHealth.org recommends calling your health care provider to find out if it's covered by your plan, and if it is, where you can have it administered. You may need to fill out some paperwork, so be sure to ask your provider exactly what is necessary.
  2. Your Employer: Karen Datko, of MSN MoneyBlog notes that many companies will offer free flu shots to their employees in order to prevent the loss of productivity that can come with sick or absent workers. Check with your company's Human Resources or Medical Services department for info.
  3. City or State Health Department: MSN also says that local or state health agencies will sometimes offer free or subsidized flu shots to local residents as a way of preventing widespread flu outbreaks in their area. While this may be an attractive option, you may have to wait in a long line to actually get your shot.

Flu Shot Locators

  • If you don't qualify for a free flu shot, or just want to skip the hassle and paperwork involved, use these helpful resources to find a retailer in your area that carries flu shots.

Side Effects Of Flu Shots

Swelling and redness may occur (CC photo by Lazy Lightning)
Swelling and redness may occur (CC photo by Lazy Lightning)
  • While the majority of people will not have a severe physical reaction to a flu shot, there are a few side effects that can occur:
  1. Since flu shots are administered with a needle, you may experience some swelling, redness or soreness around that area of skin.
  2. Fever or body aches may occur, usually lasting no more than 1-2 days.
  3. In rare cases, a flu vaccination can cause a severe allergic reaction. If this does happen to you, contact the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to file a claim for compensation.

Additional Flu Shot Tips

  1. About.com says that children under the age of 9 who are getting the vaccine for the first time usually require 2 doses (given at least a month apart) in order to be effective.[14]
  2. The Food and Drug Administration says that if you have an adverse reaction to the influenza vaccine, call your doctor and file a report with the Vaccine Adverse Event Report System (VAERS)[15] - phone # 1-800-822-7967.
  3. Getting a flu shot does not guarantee that you won't get the flu. The Mayo Clinic says that flu shots are between 70 - 90% effective in preventing influenza.[16]
  4. The Mayo Clinic notes that a flu shot will not specifically protect you from Bird Flu.[17]

Conclusion

Keep your family happy and healthy this flu season (Creative Commons photo by César Astudillo)
Keep your family happy and healthy this flu season (Creative Commons photo by César Astudillo)
  • It's really pretty simple: No one likes having the Flu. It makes you feel tired, sick, weak - and for some segments of the population can even be life-threatening. Fortunately, the vaccine that was created to fight the influenza virus is extremely effective at helping people's immune systems resist the flu. So if you want to give yourself - and your body - the best possible chance of avoiding a nasty flu bug, follow the steps above and get yourself immunized!

Flu Shot News and Articles

Flu Shot Resources

Related Searches

How to Avoid the Flu | Flu Shot | Influenza | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | Heart Disease | Kidney Disease | Bird Flu | Influenza B



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