Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from getting the flu. Get the flu shot every year. It's safe, and it works.
New this year, based on recent research studies - the flu vaccine can be tolerated by people with egg allergies, without severe reactions. Check with your health care provider if you have a severe allergy to eggs. The flu vaccine contains egg protein.
Why Should I Get a Flu Shot?
Getting a flu shot is the best way to slow the spread of the flu. The flu shot can protect you against the flu.
Who Should Get a Flu Shot?
All people age 6 months and older who want to reduce their risk of getting sick should get a flu shot. People more at risk of illness from the flu include:
- People with other health problems, like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease
- People older than 50
- Women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant
- People caring for an infant or a family member with health problems
- Health care personnel
Can I Get My Flu Shot From VA?
Veterans enrolled in VA health care and VA staff may get a flu shot at their nearest VA health care facility. If you are not enrolled in VA health care, check your eligibility online.
Where Can My Family Members Get a Flu Shot?
VA doesn't vaccinate family members of Veterans or VA staff. If your family members would like to get a flu shot, check the flu shot locator* on Flu.gov.
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How Well Does the Flu Shot Work?
Studies have shown that getting the flu shot can reduce illness and death related to the flu.
When Should I Get a Flu Shot?
Get a flu shot as soon as it becomes available in the Fall so that you are protected all Winter. You will need to get a new flu shot every year to protect yourself from the most recent flu viruses. Contact your nearest VA health care facility to learn more about vaccine availability.
How Does the Flu Shot Protect Me?
The flu shot helps your body build antibodies to fight flu viruses. These can help prevent you from getting sick with the flu. Once you get the flu shot, it takes about 2 weeks for your body to make enough antibodies to protect you.
Why Do I Need a New Flu Shot Every Year?
Flu viruses can change over time. Every year, the flu shot is updated to contain the flu viruses most likely to spread that year.
What Is in the Flu Shot?
Every year the flu shot is made of three strains of non-living flu virus. Experts decide which strains will be in the flu shot based on the flu viruses that are spreading that year.
Sometimes the viruses change after the flu shot is made. Even if this happens, you will still get some protection from the flu shot.
What Is the High-dose Flu Shot?
The high-dose flu shot was approved by the Federal Government in 2010. It can only be given to people age 65 and older. It has the same three strains of flu viruses as the standard dose flu shot, but with higher doses of each.
Early studies show that the high-dose flu shot can help to build more antibodies to fight against the flu. Some people have had more discomfort at the site of the high-dose flu shot than with the standard dose flu shot. Studies are being done to learn more about the high-dose flu shot.
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Can I Get the Flu From the Flu Shot?
No. The viruses in the shot are not alive, so you cannot get the flu from the flu shot.
Can I Still Get the Flu After I Get a Flu Shot?
Sometimes this can happen if:
- The flu shot does not contain the flu virus that is spreading.
- You are exposed to the flu before or right after getting the flu shot. You may still get the flu before the shot takes effect.
- You have a weak immune system or other illness that takes you longer to make antibodies.
- Your body fails to make antibodies after getting a flu shot.
Is the Flu Shot Safe?
Yes, the flu shot is safe. Most people who get the flu shot have no serious side effects or allergic reactions to it. Some people may have redness or swelling on their arm where the shot was given. A very small number of people may get minor body aches, a headache, or a low-grade fever that lasts only a day or two.
The Institute of Medicine reviewed more than 1,000 research articles and concluded that few health problems are associated with vaccines. Learn more about these findings*†.
I Am Allergic to Eggs. What Should I Do?
Recent research has found that the flu vaccine can be tolerated by people with egg allergies, without serious reactions. If you have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, talk with your health care provider to determine if you should get the flu shot.
What Else Can I Do to Slow the Spread of the Flu?
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Clean hands often.
- Keep hands away from face.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Stay home when sick.
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*By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.
†VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked Web site.
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