Patel, the following groups of people should not get the flu shot: Who should not get the flu shotĪccording to Dr. Even so, side effects are temporary, and will be minimal in most patients. High-dose side effects-such as muscle aches, malaise, headache, and redness around the injection site-are the same as with the regular vaccine, but their frequency and severity may be greater with a high dose vaccine, Dr. But side effects are more likely too, he says. Because of this, it provides high-risk patients (individuals over 65) with a better immune response and enhanced protection from the flu. The high-dose flu vaccine contains four times the antigens than the regular flu vaccine, Dr. There are two versions of the flu vaccine specially formulated for older people 65 years and up, the high-dose vaccine ( Fluzone high-dose quadrivalent ) and the adjuvanted vaccine ( Fluad Quadrivalent ). That’s because young children and older adults are more likely to experience severe complications from the flu than younger individuals. Gendlina agrees.įor individuals over the age of 65 and children under the age of 5, getting vaccinated is even more important. Vaccinations prepare and “teach” the immune system to be able to fight this year’s influenza virus, and mild symptoms are a sign that the immune system is learning and responding to the immunization,” Dr. But these symptoms mean that your body is building immunity to the virus. For example, you may experience a runny nose, headache, cough, fever, nausea, or muscle aches, and think you have the flu, Dr. Systemic reactions tend to be why otherwise healthy people think they’re getting sick from the flu, even when they aren’t. Patel adds that there are no long-term side effects associated with the flu shot. This type of reaction is the most common adverse effect of the flu shot. Site reactions are a local response around the injection site that may include redness, swelling, soreness, discomfort, or pain.

Most side effects from the flu shot can occur soon after getting vaccinated and typically resolve within one to two days (and are local), says Ankur Patel, MD, a geriatrician and chief medical officer at Tabula Rasa HealthCare in Moorestown, New Jersey. For many, concern over flu shot side effects makes them avoid getting the injection, but is this fear warranted? Let’s take an in-depth look at the potential side effects of the influenza vaccination.įlu shot side effects generally fall into two categories: site reactions and systemic reactions. Also, getting the flu vaccine reduces the likelihood that you will pass the flu virus on to vulnerable family members or those who are not eligible to receive the vaccine.Įven in those who are otherwise healthy, getting sick with the flu puts you at risk for serious allergic reactions, but these are quite rare. But when the flu vaccine is well-matched to circulating flu viruses, research shows it can reduce the risk of illness by 40%-60%. Maybe you couldn’t find the time, or you felt like you were healthy enough to fight off the flu virus on your own. Reasons for vaccination hesitancy are numerous. While that’s an increase of about 2% from the previous season, it still means that only half of the country chose to get the flu shot.

But, during the 2020-201 flu season, only about 50% of adults in the United States received the flu vaccine and 59% of children. Share on Facebook Facebook Logo Share on Twitter Twitter Logo Share on LinkedIn LinkedIn Logo Copy URL to clipboard Share Icon URL copied to clipboardĪn annual flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself and your family members against influenza viruses, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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