Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccination
Pronounced (in-floo-EN-za)
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
There are two types of vaccines:
- The "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
There are 3 different flu shots available: - The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
What You Should Know
- Brief description
Symptoms, how flu spreads, questions and answers, etc. - Key Facts about Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
- What You Should Know for the 2012-13 Influenza Season
- Pictures of Influenza CDC's Public Health Image Library (PHIL)
- Flu Can Kill Healthy Children
Parents tell true story of how influenza sickened their child and impacted their family. - Info for Specific Groups
- Travelers' Health–Yellow Book: Influenza
- Kid-Friendly Sites
- Much more on the official CDC flu site
- Influenza basics
Fact sheet offers overview of Influenza disease and vaccine risks and benefits
- Key Facts about Seasonal Flu Vaccine
- Who Should and Shouldn't Get Vaccinated
- How Well Does the Flu Vaccine Work?
and other related Q&A's - Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Find
a flu clinic
(HealthMap Flu Vaccine Finder)
If you cannot find a clinic, your healthcare provider, local health department, or local media may have more information. - Lessening the Pain of Vaccines
Techniques worth trying from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Misconceptions about Seasonal Influenza and Influenza Vaccines
Q&As about flu shot, nasal spray, timing of vaccination, and "stomach flu" - Does the influenza vaccine contain thimerosal?
and other related Q&As on this topic - Seasonal Flu and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
- Side effects of flu vaccines
- Reporting a suspected vaccine adverse reaction
- Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness
- CDC's Vaccine Safety website
- Some people should talk with a doctor before getting influenza vaccine
- Pregnancy guidelines for LAIV and inactivated influenza vaccine
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on Influenza
- Clinical Description & Lab Diagnosis
- Influenza Vaccination: A Summary for Clinicians
- Expert Commentaries
- Infection Control in Health Care Facilities
- Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel
Vaccine Supply, Distribution and Storage
Coverage Levels, Safety and Composition
Recommendations for Influenza Vaccination
- 2012-13 ACIP Recommendations
- Influenza Prevention & Control Recommendations
Information for the 2012-13 season and past seasons, including overview, vaccine composition, dosage & administration, and recommendations for specific populations - Dosage Chart
- Package inserts
(AFLURIA, Agriflu, Fluarix, Fluvirin, Fluzone, FluLaval, Flumist, H5N1, and more package inserts...)
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution
Vaccine Administration
- Standing Orders
Immunization Action Coalition - Contraindications
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
References and Resources
- Related MMWR articles and related sites
- Pink Book's chapter on Influenza (Updated April 2011)
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 12th Edition - Surveillance manual's chapter on Influenza 5th edition, 2011
Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook
Provider Education
- Free resources
Seasonal flu materials–free to download - Influenza training
- No Flu For You
Vaccination campaign information to increase influenza vaccination rates among health care workers from Saint Louis County Department of Health, St. Louis, MO
Materials for Patients
- Flu Prevention Tips
- Free resources
Materials free to download include brochures, posters, eCards, videos and podcasts. - Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Find
a flu clinic
(HealthMap Flu Vaccine Finder)
If you cannot find a clinic, your local health department or newspaper may have more information.
*"Healthy" indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.
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This page last modified on October 25, 2012
Content last reviewed on October 25, 2012
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Content last reviewed on October 25, 2012
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases