Cold and Flu The Permanente Medical Group

This vaccination strategy is focused on protecting the entire U.S. population rather than just the people at highest risk for flu complications. That means greater protection for all of us, and we encourage everyone to receive a vaccination this year. Kaiser Permanente wants to make sure all of us are fully prepared for the upcoming season.

Both the flu shot and the flu nasal spray are highly effective ways of preventing the flu. The flu shot is an injection given in the upper arm, while the nasal spray is a mist that is sprayed into the nose.

The flu shot contains inactive (dead) virus, while the flu nasal spray contains live attenuated virus that has been weakened so it cannot make you sick. Both prevent flu by prompting your body to build up defensive antibodies. It isn’t possible to catch the flu from either the flu shot or the nasal spray.

The flu nasal spray contains live, attenuated (weakened) virus. It may be given to healthy people between 2 and 49 years of age who are not pregnant and who do not have long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or others.

The immune response to influenza vaccine differs between children and adults. If your child is aged 6 months to 8 years, he or she should receive the vaccine in 2 doses if:

• This is the first time he or she is receiving a seasonal flu vaccine, or
• You are not sure he or she received seasonal flu vaccine last year.

If your child is receiving the flu shot or flu nasal spray in two doses, it’s important to wait 4 weeks after the first dose is given and then return for a second dose.

The flu vaccine is not approved for use in infants aged less than 6 months. However, the risk of flu complications is higher in these young infants than children of any other age. The best way to protect children younger than 6 months is to vaccinate their caregivers and other members of the household.

California state law requires all students entering 7th grade to show proof of a Tdap booster shot.

• If your child has NOT received the Tdap Booster shot:
  • No appointment is necessary. You and your child can drop in to any Kaiser Permanente Pediatrics Department or immunization clinic between 9 and 11:30 a.m. or from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    The nurse will review the records to check if your child also needs other immunizations.
    We will provide you with documentation to give to your child’s school.

• If your child has already received the Tdap Booster shot you may need proof for school:
  • You can print a copy of your child’s immunization record online.*
    • If you already manage your child's care online, visit kp.org/myhealthmanager.
    • If you still need to set up access to act for your child, visit kp.org/familyhealth.
    • If you are not able to set up access online, please call our Appointment and Advice line for information.

• *This feature is available to Kaiser Permanente members who are authorized to act on their child’s behalf.

Read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's handout on whooping cough and Tdap vaccine .

Flu can be serious for anyone who is pregnant. When you are pregnant, changes to your immune system can make you more sensitive to the flu. Getting the flu when you are pregnant can increase your risk of complications and hospitalization. Getting vaccinated can protect your unborn child from infection as well.

Washing your hands and staying away from people who are sick can help protect pregnant women from infection, but vaccination is the single best way to prevent the flu. If you are pregnant or have an infant younger than 6 months old, you and everyone in your household should get vaccinated against this year’s seasonal flu when the vaccine is available.

Flu nasal spray is a safe and effective method of vaccination, but it is not recommended for everyone. The flu nasal spray contains a live, weakened form of the flu virus. This type of vaccination has not been approved for use in children younger than 2 years and adults 50 years or older, women who are pregnant, and people who have long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or others. At this time, the flu shot rather than the flu nasal spray is recommended for use in those groups.

Babies are the ones at highest risk for complications from whooping cough, and about half of infants who develop whooping cough get it from their mothers. It is very important to protect your baby from this virus by getting a vaccine for yourself and for everyone who will come in contact with your infant.

If you are pregnant, and have not been vaccinated, it is recommended that you get the Tdap vaccine during the second and third trimester of your pregnancy. The goal is to be vaccinated at least 3 weeks before the baby is born. Partners and families can be vaccinated at any time, but preferably before the birth of the baby so they don’t infect their newborn. It is safe for mothers to get Tdap vaccine while breastfeeding. Talk to your women’s health provider about getting vaccinated.

Read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's handout on whooping cough and Tdap vaccine.

Vaccinating all adults will protect the entire U.S. population rather than just the people at highest risk for flu complications. That means greater protection for all of us, and we encourage everyone to receive a vaccination this year. Staying healthy means less time away from school, work, play, or whatever else you want to do besides having the flu. Kaiser Permanente wants to make sure all of us are fully prepared for the upcoming season.

Both the flu shot and the flu nasal spray are highly effective ways of preventing the flu. The flu shot is an injection given in the upper arm, while the nasal spray is a mist that is sprayed into the nose.

The flu shot contains inactive (dead) virus, while the flu nasal spray contains live attenuated virus that has been weakened so it cannot make you sick. Both prevent flu by prompting your body to build up defensive antibodies. It isn’t possible to catch the flu from either the flu shot or the nasal spray.

The flu nasal spray may be given to healthy people between 2 and 49 years of age who are not pregnant and who do not have long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or others.

Yes, it’s safe to be vaccinated for the flu while you’re breastfeeding, both for you and for your baby. In fact, it is highly recommended because the vaccine will provide protection for mom and also prevent her from transmitting flu to the baby.

You cannot give the flu to your baby through your breast milk. Breastfeeding and breast milk protect your baby’s health in many ways. Mothers pass on antibodies — a type of protein made by the immune system that fights off infection — in their breast milk.

Children under 6 months are too young to be vaccinated, so it’s important for parents and caretakers to protect these infants from the flu by getting a vaccine themselves.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before feeding or handling your baby. Do not cough or sneeze in your baby’s face. If possible, only adults who are not sick should care for infants, including feeding them. If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump and have someone else give your milk to your baby.

The flu nasal spray is a safe and effective method of vaccination, but it is not recommended for everybody. The flu nasal spray is safe for healthy people between 2 and 49 years who are not pregnant and who do not have long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or others.

People who are vaccinated with the flu nasal spray receive a live but weakened version of the flu virus. This weakened virus cannot make the person who received the vaccine sick, and it cannot infect people with whom they have contact. It may be given to someone who lives with anyone who cannot receive flu nasal spray, such as a pregnant woman, someone with a chronic health condition, or a young child.

Vaccinating all adults, including those with chronic conditions, will protect the entire U.S. population rather than just the people at highest risk for flu complications. That means greater protection for all of us, and we encourage everyone to receive a vaccination this year. Staying healthy means less time away from school, work, play, or whatever else you want to do besides having the flu. If you have a chronic condition, it is particularly important you get vaccinated because you are at higher risk for flu related complications. Kaiser Permanente wants to make sure all of us are fully prepared for the upcoming season.

Flu nasal spray is a safe and effective method of vaccination, but it is not recommended for everyone. The flu nasal spray contains a live, weakened form of the flu virus. This type of vaccination has not been approved for use in children younger than 2 years and adults 50 years and older, or women who are pregnant, and people who have long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or others. At this time, the flu shot rather than the flu nasal spray is recommended for use in those groups.

The flu nasal spray is a safe and effective method of vaccination, but it is not recommended for everybody. The flu nasal spray is safe for healthy people between 2 and 49 years who are not pregnant and who do not have long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or others.

People who are vaccinated with the flu nasal spray receive a live but weakened version of the flu virus. This weakened virus cannot make the person who received the vaccine sick and it cannot infect people with whom they have contact. It may be given to someone who lives with anyone who cannot receive flu nasal spray.

Vaccinating all adults will protect the entire U.S. population rather than just the people at highest risk for flu complications. That means greater protection for all of us, and we encourage everyone to receive a vaccination this year. Staying healthy means less time away from school, work, play, or whatever else you want to do besides having the flu. Kaiser Permanente wants to make sure all of us are fully prepared for the upcoming season.

Flu nasal spray is a safe and effective method of vaccination, but it is not recommended for everyone. The flu nasal spray contains a live, weakened form of the flu virus. This type of vaccination has not been approved for use in children younger than 2 years and adults 50 years and older, or women who are pregnant, and people who have long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or others. At this time, the flu shot rather than the flu nasal spray is recommended for use in those groups.

If you have not received the vaccine that protects against whooping cough (pertussis), you should talk to your doctor about scheduling these immunizations as soon as possible.

Although adults are at a lower risk of complications related to whooping cough, it’s important to be vaccinated so that you do not spread the disease to children and others who are at risk for becoming seriously ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente now recommend Tdap for all adults, including those 65 years and older.

Read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's handout on whooping cough and Tdap vaccine .