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1. What is seasonal flu?

Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. It spreads between people and can cause mild to severe illness. In some cases, the flu can lead to death. In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Seasonal flu activity usually peaks in January or February, but it can occur as early as October and as late as May.

2. How can I protect myself and others from the flu?

The best way to protect yourself and other people from getting the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. It is recommended everyone 6 months of age and older get the flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccines are safe and effective; they are available as shots or nasal spray.

3. Who should get vaccinated this season?

Everyone 6 months of age or older should get a flu vaccine this season. It is especially important for some groups of people to get vaccinated, such as:

• People who are at high risk of developing serious complications (such as pneumonia) if they get sick with the flu.
• People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.
• Pregnant women.
• Children younger than 5 years (especially those younger than 2.)
• People 65 years and older.
• People who live with or care for others who are at high risk of developing serious complications.
• Household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
• Household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months old.

Find more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

4. Can I get a flu vaccine if I recently had COVID-19?

Yes. If you have completed your five-day isolation period and are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, you can receive your flu vaccine right away. 

5. How effective is the flu shot?

The flu vaccine’s ability to prevent illness can range widely from season to season. Recent studies have shown the vaccine reduces your risk of getting sick by 40-60%. Flu vaccinations are proven to effectively prevent and lessen severity of illness, especially when the flu vaccine is well matched to circulating flu viruses.

6. What are the risks from getting a flu shot?

Flu vaccines are safe and effective. The most common side effects following flu vaccinations are mild. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration closely monitor for any signs that flu vaccines are causing unexpected adverse events and are working with state and local health officials to investigate any unusual events.

7. What are the side effects that could occur?

Possible side effects include:

• Aches
• Fever (low grade)
• Soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given

The intradermal (between the layers of the skin) flu shot may cause additional mild side effects, such as toughness or itching where the shot was given. Side effects typically begin soon after the shot is given and usually last one to two days. Life-threatening allergic reactions are very rare. If any unusual condition occurs following vaccination, seek medical attention right away.

8. Can the flu shot give me the flu?

No, a flu shot cannot give you the flu. While you may experience short-term side effects after your vaccine, it is not the flu. Vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu illness.

9. Why do some people not feel well after getting the flu shot?

The flu shot can cause mild side effects that are sometimes mistaken for flu. These side effects are caused by a person’s immune system making protective antibodies in response to being vaccinated. These antibodies are what allow the body to fight against flu. It is rare for someone to experience fever, muscle pain, and feelings of discomfort or weakness. If experienced at all, these effects usually last one to two days after vaccination and are much less severe than actual flu illness.

10. What about people who get a seasonal flu vaccine and still get sick with flu-like symptoms?

It is still possible to get the flu even if you are vaccinated. This can happen for several reasons: 

• People may be exposed to an influenza virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in a person becoming ill with the flu before the vaccine begins to protect them.
• A person may be exposed to an influenza virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. There are many different strains of influenza viruses that circulate every year. The flu shot protects against the three or four viruses that research suggests will be most common.
• Unfortunately, some people can get infected with a a strain of influenza that is covered by the vaccine. Protection provided by the flu vaccine can vary widely, based in part on health and age factors of the person getting vaccinated. In general, the flu vaccine works best among healthy young adults and older children. Some older people and people with certain chronic illnesses may develop less immunity after vaccination. However, even among people who tend to respond less well to vaccination, the flu vaccine can still help prevent influenza. Vaccination is particularly important for people at high risk of serious flu-related complications and for close contacts of high-risk people.
• Even if you get sick, being vaccinated can help keep symptoms mild and reduce your risk of hospitalization.