Seasonal Flu Vaccine FAQs
Why should I get vaccinated against the flu?
Who is eligible to get the seasonal flu vaccine?
What are the contraindications to the vaccine?
What kinds of flu vaccines are available?
How many kinds of flu does the flu vaccine cover?
When is the best time to get vaccinated?
Can I get a flu vaccine if I am pregnant or breast-feeding?
Can I get a flu vaccine if I don't feel well or have a fever?
Can't the flu shot cause the flu?
I don't consider the flu to be dangerous, so I don't need a shot.
I don't think flu vaccinations really work.
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
What can I do if I am scared of needles?
Will the seasonal influenza vaccine protect me against the novel H1N1 influenza?

Antiviral Medications FAQs
What are influenza antiviral drugs?
What are the treatment benefits of influenza antiviral drugs?
How effective are antiviral drugs at preventing the flu?
What side effects can occur with influenza antiviral drugs?
Who is prioritized for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs?

H1N1 Vaccine FAQs
Will the seasonal influenza vaccine protect me against the novel H1N1 influenza?
No. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu.
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When is the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine expected to be available?
H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the United States by fall. Vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials.
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What are the contraindications to the vaccine?
People with a hypersensitivity to eggs or egg protein, history of or previous hypersensitive reaction to the influenza vaccine, or Guillain-Barre Syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving previous vaccine.
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Who is recommended to get the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine?
Groups at high risk for infection or its complications are recommended to be vaccinated first against the novel H1N1 influenza. These groups include pregnant women,
persons who live with or care for infants less than 6 months, health care and emergency medical services staff, children and persons between 6 months and 24 years, and persons between 25-64 with medical conditions that put them at high risk for complications. If enough vaccine is available, all persons 25-64 years should be
vaccinated, then expanded to include those  more than 65.
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Will there be enough novel H1N1 influenza vaccine available for everyone?
A shortage is not expected. The availability and demand can be unpredictable. There is a possibility that, at first, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities and the groups at risk may be further prioritized.
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How many shots will it take for me to be immunized against novel H1N1 influenza?
The number of shots has not been determined yet.
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Can I get vaccinated against seasonal and novel H1N1 influenza at the same time?
Trials are underway to determine if both vaccines can be given at the same time. Seasonal vaccine is expected to be ready before H1N1 vaccine. People should not
delay getting seasonal flu vaccine to wait for H1N1 vaccine distribution.
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Seasonal Flu Vaccine FAQs
Why should I get vaccinated against the flu?
Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza and its related complications.
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What kinds of flu vaccines are available?
There are two kinds of vaccines. The flu shot contains killed virus and is given with a needle, usually in the arm. It is approved for people older than 6 months. The nasal spray contains live, but weakened, flu viruses that do not cause the flu. It is approved for healthy, non-pregnant people 2-49.
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How many kinds of flu does the flu vaccine cover?
The seasonal flu vaccine contains three seasonal influenza viruses -- two A viruses and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
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When is the best time to get vaccinated?
As soon as the vaccine is available in the fall. Getting vaccinated any time during the flu season (through April) will still offer you protection for the rest of the season.
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Can I get a flu vaccine if I am pregnant or breast-feeding?
According to the CDC, pregnant women and breast-feeding moms are among those recommended to get a flu vaccine. Pregnant women are at high risk of complications from the flu if they become ill during their pregnancy. A breast-feeding mom should be vaccinated so she does not pass along the illness to her baby.
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Can I get a flu vaccine if I don't feel well or have a fever?
It is best to wait until you feel better to get your vaccination.
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Can't the flu shot cause the flu?
No. Flu vaccines cannot cause the flu. The viruses in flu vaccines are either killed or weakened. The vaccine works by priming your body's defenses in case you are exposed to an actual flu virus. If you did get the flu after receiving the vaccination, there are several explanations:

• You may have been exposed to the flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period it takes the body to gain the vaccine's protective benefits
• You may have been ill from other (non-flu) viruses, which can also cause flu-like symptoms (such as rhinovirus)
• You may have been exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the vaccine, as there are many different influenza viruses

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I don't consider the flu to be dangerous, so I don't need a shot.
Influenza can have serious medical complications leading to more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths a year. Studies have consistently shown that vaccination is the best protection against the flu.
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I don't think flu vaccinations really work.
The ability of the vaccine (both the flu shot and the nasal spray) to protect depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine. It also depends on how closely 'matched' the virus strains in the vaccine are with the virus going around. When the vaccine strains and the virus strains are not well matched, it can still reduce the chances of getting the flu by 88 percent in healthy people. It may be less effective in the elderly and very young children, but it can still prevent serious complications.
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What are the side effects of the vaccine?
The side effects of the vaccine are minimal. Some people experience a sore arm that lasts a day or two, but it does not prevent them from doing normal activities. Some people who are getting the vaccine for the first time may experience a mild fever and a few aches that last about 24 hours.
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What can I do if I am scared of needles?
Flu vaccine is proven to reduce the incidence of flu in the community. For those who don't want an injection, nasal sprays may be available.
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Will the seasonal influenza vaccine protect me against the novel H1N1 influenza?
No. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu.
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Antiviral Medications FAQs
What are influenza antiviral drugs?
Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription drugs (pills, liquid, or inhaler) that decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce. While getting a flu vaccine each year is the first and most important step in protecting against flu, antiviral drugs are a second line of defense in the prevention and treatment of flu.
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What are the treatment benefits of influenza antiviral drugs?
For treatment, antiviral drugs should be started within 2 days after becoming sick. These drugs can reduce the severity of flu symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They also may prevent serious flu complications. Studies of oseltamivir treatment of hospitalized patients with seasonal influenza have indicated benefit, including reductions in mortality or duration of hospitalization even for patients whose treatment was started more than 48 hours after illness onset.

Antiviral drugs may be especially important for patients who are very sick (hospitalized) or people sick with the flu and at increased risk of serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, young children and those with chronic health conditions.
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How effective are antiviral drugs at preventing the flu?
When used to prevent flu, antiviral drugs are about 70 percent to 90 percent effective against susceptible viruses (that are not resistant to the antiviral medication). It's important to remember that flu antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting the flu vaccine.
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What side effects can occur with influenza antiviral drugs?
Side effects differ for each drug. If an antiviral drug has been prescribed for you, ask your doctor to explain how to use the drug and possible side effects. Health care professionals prescribing flu antiviral drugs should alert patients about possible adverse events. For more information about side effects, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Antiviral Drugs: Summary of Side Effects.
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Who is prioritized for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs?
Most people ill with influenza will recover without complications. Some people are at highest risk of influenza-related complications and are prioritized for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs this season. They include:

• People with more severe illness, such as those hospitalized with suspected or confirmed influenza
• People with suspected or confirmed influenza who are at higher risk for complications
  
  
  • Children younger than 2
  • Adults 65 and older
  • Pregnant women
  • People with certain chronic medical or immunosuppressive conditions
• People younger than 19 who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

Children 2 to 4 are more likely to require hospitalization or urgent medical evaluation for influenza compared with older children, although the risk is much lower than for children younger than 2. Children 2 to 4 without high risk conditions and who are not severely ill do not necessarily require antiviral treatment.

Children and adults presenting with suspected influenza who have symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness or clinical deterioration also should receive prompt empiric antiviral therapy, regardless of previous health or age.

Physicians may also decide not to treat some people in these groups or treat people who are not in these groups based on their clinical judgment.
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