Everything You Should Know About the Flu Vaccine

If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet and have some outstanding questions, let us help! Between age recommendations and the flu vaccines offered, it can be overwhelming to make the right decision for you and your family.
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When should I get the flu vaccine?

Get your flu vaccine two weeks before the flu is spreading in your community. Or, if you don’t have a crystal ball, the most straightforward plan is to get it by the end of October. However, if you wait until December - don’t fret! Getting the vaccine is beneficial anytime the flu is still circulating in your area. People can be sick with the flu as late as May each year! 

Just remember: it takes about two weeks for the antibodies to develop and begin protecting you, so plan accordingly. If you’ve got a big trip coming up, ensure you’re vaccinated two full weeks before you head out. If we’ve missed that boat already, take extra precautions on the trip in order to stay healthy - extra hand washing, keeping your hands away from your face, keeping distance between yourself and others, wearing a face mask (you didn’t think a mask only protects against Covid, right?! Maybe we’ll all be a bit more open to masks anytime respiratory illnesses are on the rise…).

Which flu vaccine is right for me?

Excellent question! There are nine choices this year, to be exact. Holy smokes. Pharmacies won’t necessarily have all nine vaccines available so if there’s a certain one you’re leaning toward, call ahead to ask questions and see what they’ve got!

Let’s avoid diving too far into the science while covering the basics. 

• All of the vaccines this year are quadrivalent, meaning they cover four different strains of influenza.

• All of the vaccines are approved by the FDA and no matter which vaccine you receive, you’re being protected against the same four strains of influenza.

• All but one of the vaccines is given via a shot into your upper arm; the one exception is given as a nasal spray. 

• Anyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year, with very few exceptions. There are certain flu vaccines specifically for adults 65 years of age and older, as well as some other age differences we’ll cover below.

• If you have a child who is 6 months to 8 years old, it’s possible your doctor will suggest 2 flu vaccines for them, 4 weeks apart. This is recommended for kids who are receiving their very first flu vaccine or who have only ever received one flu vaccine in the past.

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Okay, now to get a little more science-y for those of you who like all the deets.
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TL;DR - if you’re generally healthy, needle-tolerant and don’t have life-threatening allergies antibiotics or gelatin, any vaccine option your pharmacy carries is perfect for you.
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Standard-dose vaccines approved for anyone 6 months or older, all made with egg protein:

• Afluria Quadrivalent
• Fluarix Quadrivalent
• FluLaval Quadrivalent
• Fluzone Quadrivalent
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Egg-free options, for those who are concerned about an egg allergy. In previous years, extra precautions were taken with those who had a severe egg allergy, but that is no longer needed! Still, it's good to know your options (and sharing a severe allergy is always a great idea). Chat with your doctor or pharmacist about the best options for you or your child.

• Flucelvax Quadrivalent, approved for 6 months and older.
• Flublok Quadrivalent, approved for 18 years and older.
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Afraid of needles?

• FluMist Quadrivalent. This one is the nasal spray! This is approved for 2 years old through 49 years old. This should not be given to anyone who is pregnant or immunocompromised.
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Vaccines approved for people 65 years and older:

• Fluad Quadrivalent. This one uses an adjuvant, which is just an extra ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response.
• Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent. This one contains a higher dose of antigen to create a stronger immune response.
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Is there any chance I could actually get the flu from the vaccine?

Nope! Scientifically, this is not possible. The flu vaccines are made with weakened or inactivated viruses and will not give you the flu. However, as your immune system responds to the vaccine, you may experience some temporary discomfort. These side effects typically begin shortly after vaccination and last a couple days. While side effects are uncomfortable, they are a sign your body is responding and building immunity - it’s actually a good thing!

If (/once😉) you get your flu vaccine, log it in the Kinsa app and we’ll send you info on common side effects with alleviation tips!
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Can I still get the flu even after I’ve had the vaccine?

Sadly, it’s still possible, but rest assured that this bout of illness will be less severe than it would have been sans vaccine. Remember, the primary purpose of all vaccines is to minimize your risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death, not to be bulletproof protection against a virus.

If you want to nerd out about why it’s still possible for you to get the flu after getting the vaccine:

• The vaccine is a slight mismatch for the flu strains circulating. Each year, the flu vaccine is made to protect against the 3 to 4 flu strains scientists predict are most likely to be circulating that flu season. This means that it’s possible you could be infected with a different strain of the virus than the one(s) the vaccine protects against.
  

• You were infected with the flu virus before your vaccine immunity kicked in. Remember, it takes 2 weeks after the vaccine for your body to build up immunity. Don’t give up on hygiene measures during this timeframe (hand washing, disinfecting, staying away from sick people, etc.)!
  

• Your body produced lower levels of antibodies in response to the vaccine. And yet another scenario is that your body’s immune system didn’t respond as strongly to the flu vaccine. This is most likely among folks who are older than 65, which is why the high-dose vaccine is an option for them.
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Why do I need the flu vaccine? I’m pretty healthy and not very worried about it.

Even the healthiest among us can get blindsided by severe illness, so being prepared for the worst (without panicking, of course) always feels like the best option to me. Studies have shown that anyone who is vaccinated and happens to get the flu has a reduced risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. (I know we’ve mentioned this already but it feels pretty important to emphasize.)

In addition to that, by getting vaccinated you’re helping protect the more vulnerable folks in your life - babies, the elderly and the immunocompromised. The flu is very hard on those age groups so if everyone in their circle is vaccinated, they have a much better chance of staying healthy.

Bonus if you’re pregnant: getting the vaccine has been shown to help your unborn baby for several months after it’s born. Remember, babies can’t get the flu vaccine until they’re 6 months old, so having this extra protection is awesome!
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You mentioned above that some people shouldn’t get the vaccine. Who falls into this group?

People who shouldn’t get the flu vaccine include:

• Our little babes under 6 months old.

• Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past should avoid that same vaccine. Others may be okay but talk with your doctor first.

• Anyone with a severe, life-threatening allergy to ingredients in the flu vaccine, such as antibiotics or gelatin. (Precautions are no longer needed for those who have an egg allergy. Please discuss this with your doctor if you’re concerned about this and remember, there are egg-free vaccine options.)

• Anyone who’s had Guillain-Barre Syndrome should talk with their doctor first. 
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Okay, I’m in! Where can I get my flu vaccine?

Vaccines.gov is always a helpful tool!

Additionally, you can see your regular healthcare provider (this is a great time of year to get an annual wellness check and flu vaccine combo!) or simply pop into any urgent care clinic or grocery store with a pharmacy. Many schools and employers offer flu vaccines as well!