Should I get a flu shot?
Yes. Flu shots are recommended for preventing seasonal flu. Contrary to some myths out there, getting a flu shot will not make you sick.
Most flu vaccines prevent only seasonal flu, not pandemic flu. Because pandemic flu is a new flu virus, scientists can develop a vaccine only after studying and identifying the virus. Once that happens, information is distributed about how to get vaccinated.
Is a vaccine for H1N1 available?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. These vaccines are being distributed nationally with certain high-risk groups of people receiving the 2009 H1N1 vaccine first.
Is the H1N1 vaccine different from the seasonal flu vaccine?
Yes. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu.
The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for anyone who wants to reduce his or her risk of getting seasonal flu. There are two types of seasonal flu vaccines. The “flu shot” is given with a needle (usually in the arm) and is approved for people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is approved for use in healthy people ages 2-49 who are not pregnant. The nasal spray is especially preferred for children.
Who should receive the H1N1 vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that certain people receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These key populations include:
- pregnant women
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- health-care and emergency-medical-services personnel
- persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
- people ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems