FLU VACCINE FAQ
September 10, 2024
FLU VACCINE FAQ
Flu season is rapidly approaching right alongside the arrival of the updated COVID-19 booster. Questions about the flu shot come up each year. Do I still need it if I got my COVID vaccine? Why do I need it? How much does it help? To help, we’ve complied this flu vaccine FAQ. You can also read more about how to prevent the flu here.
We invite you get your flu shot this year from your trusted, local, independent pharmacy. Click the orange button to see our available appointment times. All our vaccines are administered by experienced nurses and pharmacists. Schedule an appointment* for your preferred time online or by phone at 920-593-2465.
Do I need to get the flu shot every year?
Yes. Much like the recent variants of the Coronavirus, flu viruses mutate and change over time. In accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most health care providers, including the dedicated team at Streu’s Pharmacy, recommend everyone age six months or older get the flu shot every year. Please contact your child’s pediatrician for pediatric needs.
Do I need more than one flu shot per year?
Adults require only one shot for each flu season. Check with your child’s pediatrician regarding flu vaccine requirements for children.
Do I still need the flu shot if I have gotten my COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. The flu vaccine contains a different set of viruses compared to the COVID-19 vaccine. Both vaccines are recommended by the CDC.
Another compelling reason to ensure you are vaccinated against both- the consequences of getting the flu while COVID is circulating can be more serious.
Will Streu’s be providing an updated COVID booster?
Yes. You can schedule a separate appointment for a COVID booster, or get both at the same time, depending on your preference.
Is the flu shot safe? Is it FDA Approved?
Yes. The FDA is responsible for ensuring the vaccines are safe and effective.
Check with your health care professional if you have concerns about the flu vaccine being safe for your specific situation and needs. The two primary reasons people shouldn’t get the vaccine are:
- An allergy to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
- The patient has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
Does a flu shot completely prevent you from getting the flu?
The flu vaccine prevents millions of people from getting sick each year, reducing the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population. However, even in cases where someone contracts the flu, it is shown to reduce the severity of the illness and number of deaths from flu and flu-related illnesses.
Does a flu shot prevent the stomach flu?
No. Although it’s commonly called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn’t the same as influenza, and the flu shot does not prevent it. The flu (influenza) affects only your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intestines, causing signs and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What is the best flu shot?
The CDC does not recommend one flu vaccine manufacturer over another. Some of the most common flu vaccines this year are:
- Fluarix
- FluLaval
- Flublok
- Fluzone
- Fluzone High Dose
- Fluad
- Flucelvax
Can I get a nasal spray vaccine instead of a shot?
Yes, The nasal spray vaccine can be given to non-pregnant individuals between the ages of two to 49 years old.
Please note that Streu’s Pharmacy does NOT currently offer the nasal spray flu vaccine. If you wish to request it, please contact your primary care provider.
What is the best flu shot for seniors?
People 65 and older should get a higher dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine, such as Fluzone High-Dose or Fluad. We automatically select an appropriate vaccine based on patient age.
How much does the flu shot cost? What is my out-of-pocket cost for a flu shot?
Most health insurance plans cover the flu vaccine. If you’re unsure, you can contact your health insurance provider or ask the team at Streu’s Pharmacy and we will do our best to help you determine whether your flu shot is covered.
Can I still get the flu shot if I have an egg allergy?
The chance of an allergic reaction, even in people with a severe egg allergy, is extremely slim: Although most flu shots and the nasal spray flu vaccine are manufactured using egg-based technology that contains a small amount of egg proteins, such as ovalbumin, a recent CDC study found the rate of anaphylaxis after all vaccines is 1.31 per one million vaccine doses given.
However, the CDC recommends those who have a history of severe allergic reaction to egg be vaccinated in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting (including but not necessarily limited to hospitals, clinics, health departments and physician offices), under the supervision of a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic conditions. Check with your primary care provider if you have concerns.
Should senior citizens over 65 get the flu shot?
Yes! As with COVID-19, people over age 65 are at highest risk for death when they get the flu. They should definitely get the flu vaccine.
Can I get the flu shot during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
The flu vaccine is safe and effective for pregnant women, and it is recommended they receive the shot rather than the nasal spray.
Please note that Streu’s Pharmacy does NOT currently offer the nasal spray flu vaccine. If you wish to request it, please contact your primary care provider.
In addition, the vaccine is safe for breastfeeding mothers and it can even help pass along protection against the flu to infants through breast milk.
What is the most common flu injection site?
Most shots are given in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.
Can still I get the flu after getting a flu shot?
Yes, unfortunately for a few reasons:
- It takes about 2 weeks for antibodies to develop and provide protection. This is why it’s best to get vaccinated before the start of spread in your community. If you are exposed before the 2 weeks have passed, you may still get sick.
- There are many different strains of influenza, and each year the vaccine is formulated to protect against the 4 strains research indicates will likely be most common. If you are exposed to a strain that is not covered by the vaccine, you could still get sick.
- However, if you do still catch the flu after being vaccinated, the duration of the flu may be shorter, less severe, and the chances are hospitalization are reduced.
Can I get the flu and pneumonia vaccine together?
Yes, you can get both vaccines in the same visit through separate injections. Check with your physician or our nursing team for specifics and availability.
Can I get the flu shot while on antibiotics?
Yes. However, as with some other types of medications, antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.
Can I use Tylenol® or other pain relievers after a flu shot injection?
We don’t know for certain whether pain relievers reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. It is best to avoid them unless you’re experiencing exceptional discomfort.
Can you get the flu from a flu shot?
No. The shot is created from an inactivated virus. You can read more about this and other flu shot myths in this article from Harvard University: 10 Flu Myths.
Is the flu shot mandatory?
No. While the CDC recommends that anyone over six months of age without a previously documented health condition should get the vaccine, the flu shot is not mandatory.
Still have questions? Call our nursing team at 920-593-2465 or come to Streu’s Pharmacy Bay Natural’s Flu Clinics on Monday mornings from 9/16/24 through 11/18/24 . You can also read more about how to prevent the flu here.
*Appointments strongly encouraged to minimize wait time.
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