What is a Flu Shot?
What is a Flu Shot?The flu shot, or influenza vaccine, is a vaccine that helps protect against the flu. Although flu vaccines are not 100% effective against all seasonal influenza strains, the best way to prevent the flu is to get the vaccine once a year.
The flu shot vaccine helps protect against the most common seasonal strains and is administered via a quick jab in the arm or nasal spray.
When to get a Flu Shot?
When to get a Flu Shot?In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. While the timing of the upcoming flu season can fluctuate around the country and differ yearly, the most effective flu shot months are September and October.
It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to start providing protection. The seasonal flu shot is typically available from September to spring. The earlier you get it, ideally before the end of October, the better.
Protection from the influenza vaccine can last for about six months, so one shot per year will get you through the flu season. A flu booster, or second shot, is generally only beneficial to children ages 6 months to eight years, especially if they are being vaccinated for the first time.
Who Should Get a Flu Shot?
Who Should Get a Flu Shot?The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get an annual flu shot, with rare exceptions. Flu vaccines are strongly encouraged for healthcare workers and individuals at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.
Groups at are higher risk of developing serious flu complications:
- Children (children younger than five years old, especially those younger than two) and adults (65 and older)
- Chronic Health conditions (asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, metabolic disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, stroke and sickle disease}
- People with a weak immune system
- Pregnant women and people
- Obese
- Some racial groups: Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native
Where Can I Get a Flu Shot?
Who Should Get a Flu Shot?You can get a flu shot from a primary care doctor, a hospital, a walk-in health clinic, mobile vaccine units, pharmacy, schools, workplaces, a local health department or family center.
NewYork-Presbyterian offers seasonal flu vaccines at many of our hospital, medical group, and ambulatory care locations.
Benefits of Flu Vaccines
BenefitsScientists create a new influenza vaccine every year to combat the ever-evolving influenza strains caused by the flu virus. A flu shot can protect you from three or four seasonal flu strains.
A flu vaccine can help:
- Prevent illness
- Reduce your risk of hospitalization from the flu
- Lessen the severity of your flu symptoms
Side Effects of the Flu Vaccine
Side EffectsGenerally, any side effects from the flu shot will be mild compared to influenza symptoms. The risk of an allergic reaction, harm, or death from the flu vaccine is rare.
Common side effects from the flu shot usually only last for a day or two, and can include:
- Redness, soreness, and swelling at the site of the injection
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Fatigue
The influenza vaccine can be given as a nasal spray to people ages 2 to 49. Side effects from the nasal spray can include:
- Headache
- Cough
- Nasal congestion/runny nose
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Muscle aches
FAQs
Get a Flu Vaccine at NewYork-Presbyterian
NewYork-Presbyterian offer expert primary care services, including the annual flu shot. We provide off-peak and weekend hours for easy scheduling, a user-friendly patient portal, and access to world-class NewYork-Presbyterian specialists. We accept most insurances.
Contact NewYork-Presbyterian or one of our medical group locations and get your flu shot today.