Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Influenza (Flu) Vaccination
Pronounced (in-floo-EN-za)
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. There are two types of vaccines:
1. 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. More...
2. The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age† who are not pregnant. More... UPDATED March 2008
The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
For the Media:
What You Should Know
- Brief description
Symptoms, treatment, transmission, etc. - Questions & Answers
- Information for Schools
Answers to questions commonly asked by school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents - About influenza and influenza vaccination
UPDATED Feb 2008
Parent's Guide to Childhood Immunization (screen-reader version) - Pictures of Influenza
- Just for kids
- Key Facts
- Info for Specific Groups
- Travelers information about influenza
Current travel notices, cruise ships information, etc. - Much more on the official CDC flu site
- Find
a flu clinic (exit)
If you cannot find a clinic, your local health department or newspaper may have more information. - Children and the Flu Vaccine
- Questions & Answers: Flu Shot
- Side Effects
- Precautions and side-effects of the influenza vaccines
Parents Guide to Immunizations (screen-reader version) - Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Questions and Answers
- Influenza vaccination program
Program-in-brief (screen-reader version) - Travelers information
Information and vaccination information including risks, precautions, etc.
- Does the influenza vaccine contain thimerosal?
and other related Q&As on this topic - How effective is the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)?
and other related Q&As on this topic - How much influenza vaccine is projected to be available for this flu season?
and other related Q&As on this topic - Flu Vaccine Effectiveness
and other related Q&As on this topic
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.
- Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness & Safety
- CDC's Vaccine Safety website
- Lessening the Pain of Vaccines (exit)
Techniques worth trying
- Who should not be vaccinated with Influenza vaccine?
- Pregnancy guidelines for LAIV and inactivated influenza vaccine
For Health Professionals
Clinical
- Vaccination
Composition, supply, priority groups, administration - Frequently requested information
- More info for healthcare professionals
- Diagnosis | Lab diagnosis
- Ask the Experts (exit)
CDC experts (medial officers, medical epidemiologists, etc.) - Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel
Vaccine Supply and Storage
- Proper handling of TIV and LAIV vaccines
- Vaccine Supply, Ordering, & Distribution
- Vaccine Storage & Handling
Coverage, Safety, and Composition
Recommendations for Influenza Vaccination
- 2008-09 Vaccination Recommendations UPDATED SEPT 2008
- ACIP recommendations UPDATED July 2008
- Influenza official recommendations (exit)
- Standing Orders (exit)
- Contraindications
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution
References and Resources
- Related MMWR articles, links, and references
- Influenza Vaccine Bulletins
- Pink Book's chapter on Influenza (22 pages, compliant)
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - Surveillance manual's chapter on Influenza Updated August 2008
Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - Traveler's health and Yellow Book
- Healthcare Settings
- Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities
- Promoting the “Don’t Get the Flu. Don’t Spread the Flu. Get Vaccinated.” campaign and other free flu materials NEW OCTOBER 2008
Provider Education
- Provider
Education
Materials to distribute - Influenza training
- Clinical
education slide set
from the "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" course - Podcasts on this topic
Browse for the "series" called "flu information from the CDC"
Materials for Patients
- Patient & Provider
Education Materials
Materials to distribute such as flyers, brochures, posters... - Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Podcast: Avoid the Flu, Get Vaccinated.
- Find
a flu clinic (exit)
If you cannot find a clinic, your local health department or newspaper may have more information.
For the Media
- CDC Says Immunizations Reduce Deaths From Influenza and Pneumococcal
Disease Among Older Adults ( 114 KB/10 pages) posted June 2008
(text-only version
27 KB) - Press Release: CDC’s Advisory Committee Recommends Influenza Vaccination for Children 6 months through 18 years of age Feb 27
- News and highlights
For current season and past flu seasons - CDC Flu RSS Feed
Really Simple Syndication (RSS), is an easy way to receive automatic updates from the CDC onto your desktop or browser
Non-CDC Link Disclaimer: Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization web pages found at these links.
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Content last reviewed on October 16, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
