Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccination
Pronounced (in-floo-EN-za)
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
On February 24, 2010 vaccine experts voted that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year starting with the 2010-2011 influenza season. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for "universal" flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people.
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.
There are 3 diffeent flu shots available:
-- a regular flu shot approved for people ages 6 months and older,
-- a high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older, and
-- an intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 to 65 years of age.
2. The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
There are 3 diffeent flu shots available:
-- a regular flu shot approved for people ages 6 months and older,
-- a high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older, and
-- an intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 to 65 years of age.
2. The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
What You Should Know
- Brief description
Symptoms, how flu spreads, questions and answers, etc. - Key Facts about Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
- Pictures of Influenza CDC's Public Health Image Library (PHIL)
- Flu Can Kill Healthy Children
Parents tell true story of how influenza sickened their child and impacted their family. - Info for Specific Groups
- Travelers' Health–Yellow Book: Influenza
- Kid-Friendly Sites
- Much more on the official CDC flu site
- Influenza basics
Fact sheet offers overview of Influenza disease and vaccine risks and benefits
- 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine and Vaccine Information
- Who Should and Shouldn't Get Vaccinated
- How Well Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work?
and other related Q&A's - Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Find
a flu clinic
(Flu.gov's Flu Clinic Locator site)
If you cannot find a clinic, your healthcare provider, local health department, or local media may have more information. - Lessening the Pain of Vaccines
Techniques worth trying from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Misconceptions about Seasonal Influenza and Influenza Vaccines
Q&As about flu shot, nasal spray, timing of vaccination, and "stomach flu" - Does the influenza vaccine contain thimerosal?
and other related Q&As on this topic - Seasonal Flu and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
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.
- Side effects of flu vaccines
Excerpts from Vaccine Information Statements - Reporting a suspected vaccine adverse reaction
- Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness & Safety
- CDC's Vaccine Safety website
- Some people should talk with a doctor before getting influenza vaccine
- Pregnancy guidelines for LAIV and inactivated influenza vaccine
- Persons who should not be vaccinated
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on Influenza
- Clinical Description & Lab Diagnosis
- Influenza Vaccination: A Summary for Clinicians
- Ask the Experts
CDC experts answer your clinical questions (Immunization Action Coalition) - Infection Control in Health Care Facilities
- Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel
Vaccine Supply, Distribution and Storage
Coverage Levels, Safety and Composition
Recommendations for Influenza Vaccination
- 2011-12 ACIP Recommendations
- Influenza Prevention & Control Recommendations
Information for the 2011–12 season and past flu seasons, including overview, vaccine composition, dosage & administration, and recommendations for specific populations - Dosage Chart
[PDF-173KB, 2 pages] - Package inserts
(AFLURIA, Agriflu, Fluarix, Fluvirin, Fluzone, FluLaval, Flumist, H5N1, and more package inserts...) Posted Feb 2010
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution Updated Jul 2010
Vaccine Administration
- Standing Orders
Immunization Action Coalition - Contraindications
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
References and Resources
- Related MMWR articles and related sites
- Pink Book's chapter on Influenza (Updated April 2011)
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 12th Edition - Surveillance manual's chapter on Influenza 5th edition, 2011
Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook
Provider Education
- Free resources
Seasonal flu materials–free to download - Influenza training
- No Flu For You
Vaccination campaign information to increase influenza vaccination rates among health care workers from Saint Louis County Department of Health, St. Louis, MO
Materials for Patients
- Flu Prevention Tips
- Free resources
Materials free to download include brochures, posters, eCards, videos and podcasts. - Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Find
a flu clinic
(Flu.gov's Flu Clinic Locator site)
If you cannot find a clinic, your local health department or newspaper may have more information.
*"Healthy" indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.
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This page last modified on October 4, 2011
Content last reviewed on October 4, 2011
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Content last reviewed on October 4, 2011
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
