Should I get a flu vaccine?

Yes. Everyone six months of age and older should get the flu vaccine every year. Getting a flu vaccine helps protect you from getting the flu and prevents you from passing it to people who could get very sick.

Can I get the flu from the flu vaccine?

No. Some people get a mild fever or have discomfort for a short time after being vaccinated, but this is a sign that your body is responding to the vaccine. It is not the flu. Also, because there are many viruses circulating in the fall, it is possible to get sick with a different virus around the same time you get the flu vaccine.

When should I get vaccinated?

For best protection, a flu vaccine is usually given in early fall before flu season starts. But you can get it anytime during the flu season, which is typically October through April.

Should I be concerned about an allergic reaction?

People with an egg allergy can safely get a flu vaccine. Life-threatening allergic reactions to a flu vaccine are very rare. Talk with your healthcare provider if you’ve had a life-threatening reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.

How is the flu different from a cold?

Colds are generally less serious than the flu. With a cold, you’re more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, while the flu causes body aches, fever, and extreme tiredness. A person with a cold can usually do their normal activities, but someone with the flu can’t. The flu can result in serious health problems like pneumonia, bacterial infections, and hospitalization.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health