A Good Shot

For most of us, getting the flu means feeling feverish and achy for a week or so, and then getting back to normal. But for some, it can be much more serious, even deadly. That's why the Centers for Disease Control recommends  everyone six months or older get the latest flu vaccine. Here, Stanford pediatrics professor and immune specialist Dr. Yvonne Maldonado addresses questions about the flu shot.

I’ve heard that people can get sick from the shot itself. Is that true?

Maldonado: No, the vaccine doesn’t cause the flu. But there frequently are overlapping viruses circulating at the same time as the flu, and those may cause symptoms similar to the flu. The shot’s aftermath is generally just soreness at the injection site for a few days. Occasionally, people may experience one to two days of mild side effects—like low fever and weakness—that are much less severe than the actual flu.

What’s the ideal timing for taking the flu vaccine in the Bay Area?

Maldonado: The vaccine is usually available starting in September, and flu season runs from October to March. Getting your kids vaccinated sooner is better, so their bodies can build up immunity to the virus. However, vaccinations as late as January can still help provide protection when the flu is circulating.

Our family was vaccinated, but we all still got the flu. What happened?

Maldonado: Flu vaccines are 60 to 100 percent effective, depending on the year, the population, and the age of the patient. Early each year, vaccines are formulated to protect against three to four viruses that flu experts predict will be most common during flu season. But some years, there may be viruses circulating that aren’t covered by the vaccine. If you get vaccinated and still get the flu, your symptoms will likely be less severe and won’t linger as long, which means you’ll have alower risk of complications as a result.

The flu shot isn’t as important as other vaccines, is it?

Maldonado: Flu vaccinations can not only help keep your family from getting sick, they also protect people around you who might be at greater risk of serious complications, like infants under 6 months, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses. Recent studies showed that the flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit admission by 74 percent during flu seasons from 2010 to 2012, and that babies of women who got the shot while pregnant were 92 percent less likely to be hospitalized for the flu.

Is the nasal spray as effective as the shot?

Maldonado: Recent studies suggest that kids between 2 and 8 may get more protection from the spray. Some kids need two doses of vaccine (and they don’t have to be in the same form). The spray also works for older children and for adults up to age 49 who aren’t pregnant or on long-term aspirin treatment, and who don’t have asthma, egg allergies, or weakened immune systems. It’s easy to take, so some people prefer it to an injection. Babies between 6 months and 2 years, pregnant women, and adults over age 50 need to take the shot instead.

Who should be vaccinated?

Maldonado: Everyone in the family who is 6 months and older— including kids’ caregivers—should get the flu vaccine each year. Talk to your doctor about which vaccine is appropriate, and any potential allergies or complications.