Questions and Answers about the Flu Vaccine
How effective is the flu shot?The influenza vaccine is usually about 70-80% effective at preventing your child from getting the flu. It may be less effective if your child is exposed to a strain of the flu that wasn't included in the flu shot that year. Also, the influenza vaccine only protects against the flu virus, and offers no protection against other viruses that can cause colds or flu-like illnesses, so the flu shot won't prevent you from getting sick, it will only decrease the chance that you will get the flu.
Protection begins about two weeks after getting the flu shot, so you should plan to get your child immunized at least two weeks before the start of flu season, which in the United States, is usually from November to March or April. You can still immunize your child later in the flu season, but getting the shot early will offer maximum protection.
How else can I decrease my child's chances of getting the flu?
In addition to a flu shot, some prescription flu medications, including amantadine (Symmetrel), rimantadine (Flumadine) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu - for patients over 13 years of age only), can be used as prophylaxis to prevent you from getting the flu.
You can also decrease your child's chances of getting the flu if you:
- encourage strict handwashing, especially after using the bathroom and before eating
- teach him to not to share glasses, cups or utensils, etc.
- avoid other people who are sick
- teach him to avoid touching his eyes or nose or putting things in his mouth
No. You can not get the flu from the flu shot. The influenza vaccine is made from killed vaccine particles and so can not cause an influenza infection. Your child may develop side effects, such as a fever or aches after getting a flu shot, but these mild reactions shouldn't be confused with an influenza infection.
My child is allergic to eggs. Can he still get a flu shot?
Serious allergic reactions to egg proteins, including severe anaphylatic reactions, are usually considered to be a reason to not receive the influenza vaccine. The influenza vaccine is produced in embryonated eggs, and so can sometimes cause a reaction in children with egg protein allergies.
Can I get a flu shot if I am breastfeeding?
Yes. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication to getting a flu shot.
Does the flu shot contain the preservative thimerosal?
Yes. Although thimerosal has been removed from all routinely recommended childhood vaccines, the flu vaccine does still contain thimerosal. This is not necessarily a reason to not get your child immunized though, especially if he is in a high risk group. A small supply of a reduced thimerosal version of the flu vaccine is available this year.
What happened to the intra-nasal flu vaccine?
FluMist, a nasal spray flu vaccine (no shots), can be given to healthy children and adults from age 5 to 49 years.
Updated for the 2006-2007 Flu Season.
For more information, including the Latest News on the 2006-7 Flu Season, please visit our guide to Kids and the Flu.
