Fast facts on influenza vaccine

2.  Influenza itself can cause serious illness in
people and can even cause death
 Every flu season is different than the last
 Flu season usually occurs around October
through March (late as May)
 3,000-49,000 people die from flu-associated
deaths
 80-90% of those deaths occur in ages 65
and older

4.  Causes antibodies approximately two weeks
after vaccination
 Seasonal flu vaccine protects against three
flu viruses: influenza A (H1N1), influenza A
(H3N2), and influenza B
 A quadrivalent vaccine is available that
protects against an additional influenza B
virus

5.  Everyone 6 months of age and older
 Anyone at high risk of complications from
getting the flu
 People with chronic underlying medical
conditions such as:
› Chronic lung disease, asthma, neurological
conditions, weakened immune systems, kidney
and heart disease, etc.

6.  People with an egg allergy
 Children younger than 6 months of age
 Anyone who has or with a history of Guillain-
Barre Syndrome
› Consult with a healthcare provider on which type
of vaccine you should receive as well

7.  The flu shot  The nasal spray
vaccine
 For youth ages 2-17
years old

8.  Protects you from getting the flu
 Protects you as well as those around you
who are more susceptible to serious flu
illness
 May make your illness much milder if you
were to get the flu
 Has decreased flu-associated
hospitalizations in pediatrics and older adults
in past years (various studies)

10.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
 http://avalonlibrary.org/wp-
content/uploads/2014/09/flu-shot-cartoon.jpg