The flu vaccine is a vaccine that is administered annually to protect against the influenza virus. The vaccine is typically given in the form of a shot, and it is recommended for most people, especially those who are at high risk of complications from the flu. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every year. The vaccine is typically made from killed or inactivated flu viruses, and it can help to protect against the most common strains of the influenza virus that are expected to circulate during the upcoming flu season. It can take up to two weeks after getting the vaccine for the body to build up immunity.
The flu vaccine is made from inactivated or killed influenza viruses, which means it cannot give you the flu. The viruses used in the vaccine are grown in eggs, and then killed or inactivated before being made into the vaccine.
TWO MAIN TYPES OF FLU VACCINES:
- Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV)
This type is made from killed influenza viruses and can be given as a shot.
- Recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV)
This type is made with a protein from the flu virus and can be given as a shot.
TWO MAIN TYPES OF FORMULATIONS OF FLU VACCINES:
- Trivalent vaccines which protect against three strains of influenza: two A strains and one B strain.
- Quadrivalent vaccines which protect against four strains of influenza: two A strains and two B strains.
The flu vaccine also contains an adjuvant, which is a substance that is added to the vaccine to enhance the body’s immune response. Some flu vaccines also contain a small amount of egg protein, antibiotics, and preservatives.
It’s important to note that the composition of the flu vaccine is updated each year based on the prediction of the most circulating strain of influenza for the upcoming season.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF FLU VACCINE
The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild and include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, as well as a low-grade fever, headache, and muscle aches. These side effects usually go away on their own within a few days. Other less common side effects of the flu vaccine include allergic reactions, which can cause hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or throat
It’s important to note that the flu vaccine cannot cause the flu. The flu vaccine is made from killed or inactivated flu viruses, which means it’s not possible to get the flu from the vaccine.
If you experience any severe or unusual symptoms after getting the flu vaccine, please seek medical attention immediately.
