An official website of the United States government
Different Types of Flu Vaccines
Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season has been published. Updates to this page are forthcoming.
Flu Vaccine Finder
Find flu vaccines in your area.
Everyone 6 months of age and older needs a flu vaccine.
Influenza (flu) vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the flu viruses that are used to make vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common during the upcoming season. Below are links to more information about the different type of flu vaccines available.
Flu shots are vaccines given with a needle, usually in the arm.
Trivalent flu vaccines protect against three different flu viruses.
Quadrivalent flu vaccines protect against four different flu viruses.
The high dose vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent) contains four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against flu viruses) as a regular flu shot to help create a stronger immune response. It is approved for use in people 65 years and older.
Cell-based vaccines (Flucelvax Quadrivalent) are grown in mammal cell culture instead of in hens' eggs. This vaccine is completely egg-free and is approved for people 6 months and older.
Flu vaccination via jet injector (Afluria Quadrivalent) is approved for use in people 18 through 64 years old.
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine [LAIV] (FluMist Quadrivalent) is given as a nasal spray. This vaccine is made with attenuated (weakened) live flu viruses, and is approved for use in people aged 2 through 49 years. This vaccine is not recommended for use in pregnant people, immunocompromised people, or people with certain medical conditions.
Adjuvanted flu vaccine (Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine) is made with an ingredient (an adjuvant) that helps create a stronger immune response and is licensed specifically for people 65 years and older.
Recombinant flu vaccines (Flublok Quadrivalent) are produced using a method that does not require an egg-grown vaccine virus. This vaccine contains three times the antigen (the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against flu viruses) than other standard-dose inactivated flu vaccines, to help create a stronger immune response.
Access communication, education, and partner material!
