Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistory of Flu ShotCommon MythsIngredientsSide EffectsEffectivenessFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
History of Flu Shot
Common Myths
Ingredients
Side Effects
Effectiveness
Frequently Asked Questions
Theflu shotreduces your risk of contractinginfluenza, a virus that is common in the winter and causes coughing, aches, and fever. The flu vaccine can stop you from getting seriously ill or dying. Because of this, it’s recommended annually for all Americans who are 6 months or older.
Despite the prevalence of the flu shot, many people have unanswered questions about the flu vaccine, including: Is the flu shot a live virus? How effective is the flu vaccine? What are the flu vaccine side effects?
There is only one type of flu vaccine—the vaccine administered as a nasal spray—that contains a live virus. That virus is attenuated (weakened) and cannot cause illness.
This article will explain the live flu vaccine and answer common questions about the vaccine.
Cell-based flu vaccines are effective in children as young as two, according to new data.
History of the Flu Shot
The flu vaccine has been used for more than 80 years. Here’s an overview of its use over time:
In the 1990s, the use of the vaccine became more widespread, in part because of federal programs that paid for vaccination.
Understanding Flu Vaccine Effectiveness
Common Myths About the Flu Shot
Although the flu vaccine has been used for decades in millions of Americans, there are many misconceptions. Here are the answers to common questions about the flu vaccine.
Is the Flu Shot a Live Virus?
There is only one type of flu vaccine that contains a live virus: the nasal spray vaccine, sold under the nameFluMist. This vaccine contains live viruses, but they have been weakened and cannot cause illness. The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for people ages 2-49. It cannot be given to pregnant people or those with compromised immune systems.
Flu shots do not contain a live virus. The shots are made either with a virus that has been killed or with a single protein of the virus.
Can the Flu Shot Get You Sick?
No, the flu shot cannot cause you to get the flu. If you experience the flu after getting your vaccine, you were likely exposed before getting your shot. It takes about two weeks after getting the vaccine to be fully protected, so you can still contract the flu during that time.
Although the flu shot can’t make you sick with influenza, it canlead to side effects. These are usually mild and include soreness at the infection site, aches, fever and feeling tired. In most cases these resolve within a day.
Can You Get the Flu From a Flu Shot?
Do You Need a Flu Shot Every Year?
Yes, you should get the flu shot every year. The vaccine becomes less effective with time. In addition, the formulation of the flu vaccine is customized each year against the strains of the flu that are expected to be more common during that flu season.
Is the Flu Shot Effective?
However, the vaccine is very effective at preventing hospitalization and death, as follows:
A Universal Flu Vaccine Is in the Works, and Could Replace Your Annual Flu Shot
Flu Shot Ingredients
Flu vaccines contain ingredients that provide immunity and keep the vaccine safe during manufacturing. The exact ingredients vary based on the vaccine you get, but in general, vaccines contain:
It’s important to remember that these ingredients are carefully screened for safety, and they are not linked with any ill health effects. If you have questions about vaccine ingredients, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Flu Shot Side Effects
The flu shot can’t make you sick, but it might make you feel under the weather for a day. Common side effects of the flu vaccine include:
The Most Common and Rare Flu Shot Side Effects
Importance of Getting a Flu Shot
Although we’re all used to living with the flu, it has serious health implications. Getting the vaccine is a way to keep you and those around you healthy. Here’s why:
Summary
Most flu vaccines do not contain a live virus. Only the nasal spray contains a live virus, and it has been weakened and cannot cause infection or illness. Getting the flu vaccine cannot cause you to get influenza. However, it can protect you from contracting the flu and getting seriously sick with it.
A Word From Verywell
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about vaccines. That can make it scary to get vaccinated, especially if you’ve already had the flu and recovered.
However, the flu causes tens of thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in America each year. The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. If you have concerns about the flu shot or flu vaccine ingredients, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, and have them answer your question.
The nasal flu vaccine is a vaccine administered as a nasal spray. It’s approved for people ages 2–49. It’s the only type of flu vaccine that contains a live virus, but the virus has been weakened so that it can’t cause illness. Still, the nasal flu vaccine can cause additional side effects including sore throat and runny nose.
The flu shot has never contained a live virus.
Yes, the flu shot is safe to get. It can reduce your risk of serious illness, and most side effects are mild.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Misconceptions about the flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Influenza historic timeline.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Seasonal flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccine effectiveness: how well do flu vaccines work?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What’s in vaccines?
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Misconceptions about the flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Influenza historic timeline.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Seasonal flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccine effectiveness: how well do flu vaccines work?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What’s in vaccines?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Misconceptions about the flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Influenza historic timeline.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Seasonal flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccine effectiveness: how well do flu vaccines work?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What’s in vaccines?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Misconceptions about the flu vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Influenza historic timeline.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Seasonal flu vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccine effectiveness: how well do flu vaccines work?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What’s in vaccines?
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