7 Things To Know About the Flu Vaccine

I believe in the efficacy of vaccines and to me, flu shots are a no brainer. (I solidified my role as Fun Mom by taking my kids for their flu shots when they didn't have school last Monday!) However, this time of year I always hear a lot of chatter about the flu vaccine—including reasons why people try to avoid it—so as part of an ongoing editorial partnership with Tufts Medical Center, I was thrilled to have Chief of General Pediatrics, Shirley Huang, MD, address the top concerns I hear from parents.

1. What is the flu and why is it important to get a flu shot?

Flu (influenza) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus; symptoms come on suddenly and are worse than a regular cold. We can protect ourselves by getting a flu vaccine each fall. The flu vaccine can reduce the chances of getting a serious illness or even death from the flu virus. For active updates related to the flu, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

2. When should I get a flu shot?

Flu season starts in October, peaks in February, and continues until May in the United States. There is a two week period after you receive the vaccine before it becomes fully effective so we recommend getting your shot now.

3. Who should get a flu shot? Is it safe for pregnant women and babies?

The flu shot is recommended for all children over the age of 6 months old. Pregnant women should get the inactivated flu vaccine, but not the live nasal spray. They can get the shot at any time during pregnancy to protect themselves and their infant. Elderly people, very young children, and people with serious health conditions that compromise their immune systems are at higher risk to get the flu, so it’s important they they get vaccinated.

4. My kids hate shots! Is the nasal spray effective?

This year, unlike in the past few seasons when it was determined not to be effective in combatting flu, the nasal spray may be offered in certain clinics. The nasal spray is the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) and can be given to healthy children 2 years and older. Not all clinics will be offering the nasal spray option.

5. Is it important to ask for preservative-free flu shots? What is the impact if you don't have access to a preservative-free shot?

The majority of flu vaccines are preservative-free; however, if you do get vaccinated with a non-preservative free vaccine, the amounts of preservative in the vaccine do not cause any adverse effects.

6. I see signs at drug stores saying that the flu shot is free but is that actually true?

The flu vaccine is covered by most insurances.

7. Every season I hear people say that the flu vaccine isn't effective. So why should I even bother?

Receiving the flu vaccine will not guarantee that you won’t get the flu, but it significantly reduces your odds of contracting the virus. Each year the components of the vaccine are adjusted based on predictions of which strain of flu virus will predominate. This year, all flu vaccines protect against four strains of the flu virus that have been predicted to circulate this season. There are many viruses besides flu virus that cause similar symptoms including fever, chills, cough, runny nose, and body aches. The flu vaccine will not protect against all viruses and all illnesses, but it is our best defense against a serious illness caused by the flu virus. The flu vaccine does not cause the flu.

Tufts Medical Center is a renowned not-for-profit academic medical center in downtown Boston. Floating Hospital for Children is the full-service children’s hospital of Tufts Medical Center. Both are the principal teaching hospitals of Tufts University School of Medicine. Tufts MC and the Floating Hospital offer a full range of services including primary care, OBGYN services in all areas of women’s health, and dedicated pediatric and adult emergency rooms.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this post is intended solely for the information of the reader. This information is not medical advice and should not replace a consultation with a medical professional.

Disclosure: This post reflects a compensated editorial partnership. Personal commentary by Christine Koh is, of course, her own!