I encourage everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones against the flu. Flu vaccines are helpful in preventing the flu and in reducing the severity of the virus in patients who do get sick.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the flu vaccine:
What are the benefits of getting the flu vaccination?
The flu vaccine helps reduce your risk of severe flu disease, hospitalization and death. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while the impact of the flu varies annually, each year between 2010 and 2020 it has resulted in:
- 9 million – 45 million illnesses
- 140,000-810,000 hospitalizations
- and 12,000-61,000 deaths.
The flu shot works: The CDC estimates that the flu vaccine prevents tens of thousands of hospitalizations annually. And even if you do get the flu, being vaccinated will likely reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Getting the flu vaccine also helps protect you from spreading the flu virus to others, including those who can't get the shot, such as babies under the age of 6 months. It also protects the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
Do I need a flu shot every year?
Flu viruses change each year, so it's important to get an annual flu shot. New flu vaccines are created every year to fight the latest virus strain. Plus, the immunity you get from a flu shot only lasts about a year.
The flu shot's effectiveness can vary based on how well the vaccine matches the strain of the virus each year. But even if you get the flu, the vaccine can still help make your symptoms less severe.
What flu vaccine should people ages 65 and older receive?
The CDC now recommends that people ages 65 and older get "higher dose or adjuvanted" flu shots. These vaccines, including Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, are potentially more effective than "standard dose" flu shots in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the flu. If one of these vaccines is not available at the time of administration, people in this age group should get a standard-dose flu vaccine instead.
When should I get the flu vaccine? Can I get it at the same time as my COVID-19 vaccination?
I recommend you get the flu vaccine at your very first opportunity, and preferably by the end of October. If you are coming to a Kaiser Permanente medical center for any reason—a dermatologist appointment, a visit with your eye doctor, a checkup with your cardiologist—you will be offered a flu shot. Take it. Flu shots appointments are also available to book at our medical centers as of Sept. 1 through KP.org.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January, but it can peak as early as October. It takes two weeks for the vaccine to work in your body, so people should start getting vaccines as soon as possible.
It is perfectly safe to get the flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine. When the COVID-19 vaccines were first available at the end of 2020, the recommendation was to wait two weeks before getting any other vaccine. Now that we know more about the COVID-19 vaccines, we can safely say you can get the COVID-19 vaccines in conjunction with any other vaccines you may need, including the flu shot.
Getting the two shots simultaneously won't diminish the effectiveness of either vaccine. And for those who already have been vaccinated against COVID-19, rest assured that the flu vaccine won't lessen the protective powers of the COVID-19 shot.
What are the side effects of the flu vaccination?
Side effects of the flu shot generally mild and are a sign that your immune system is hard at work, making antibodies to protect you against the virus. Side effects of the flu vaccination may include:
- Soreness at the injection site (Read ways to prevent flu shot soreness)
- Low-grade fever
- Muscle aches and pains
- Headache
The flu shot will not cause coughs, congestion or the flu. The vaccine uses broken up parts of the flu virus that cannot replicate and cause the illness.
Is the vaccine particularly important for some groups of people?
Yes! The vaccine is especially important for people at greater risk of flu complications: pregnant women, health care workers, people with compromised immune systems, children ages 6 months to 4 years, adults ages 50 and over, extremely obese people, people with diabetes, and people with chronic kidney, pulmonary, or cardiovascular diseases. People at risk for severe COVID-19 infection should get the flu shot.
The flu shot is also particularly important for people who previously had COVID-19. Many people have had lingering symptoms, including lung damage, so protecting themselves from the flu is essential.
I already got COVID-19 vaccines. Do I still need a flu shot?
Yes. While both the seasonal flu and COVID-19 cause respiratory symptoms, they are different viruses. The flu shot won't protect you from COVID-19, and the COVID-19 vaccine won't protect you against the flu.
Who shouldn't get the flu vaccine?
Most everybody should get vaccinated. However, babies under 6 months are too young for the shot. (If you are in close contact with a baby, that's even more reason to get the flu shot yourself.)
If you had a prior, immediate allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, such as hives, swelling or anaphylactic shock, we don't recommend you get the shot. (The CDC defines an immediate allergic reaction as occurring within four hours of receiving the flu vaccine.) However, we do suggest you meet with an allergist to determine whether you are still allergic to the vaccine.
If you are currently severely ill, we advise holding off and waiting until you feel better. If you are mildly ill with cold symptoms, for example, it's okay to proceed. If you currently have COVID-19, hold off on getting the flu shot until your quarantine period ends and your symptoms have subsided. Then get vaccinated.
Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control specifies that people who have a history of having had Guillain Barré syndrome within six weeks of receiving the flu vaccine in the past shouldn't get the flu shot this season.
History of egg allergy, even if severe, is not a reason not to get the flu shot. The newest recommendation is "that people with egg allergy may receive any flu vaccine (egg-based or non-egg based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. Additional safety measures are no longer recommended for flu vaccination beyond those recommended for receipt of any vaccine."
How do I make an appointment for the flu shot?
Kaiser Permanente members can get a flu shot at no additional cost during any doctor visit or one at one of our flu shot locations. Flu vaccines are available at any of our medical centers. To see the schedule for each medical center or make an appointment, visit kp.org/flu. To schedule your flu shot appointment, you can call 1-800-777-7904 or complete an E-visit on kp.org.
Weekend appointments are also available at some medical centers. For up-to-date information, take a look at KP Insider.
Please take the flu shot seriously this year and get vaccinated to protect you and our community from this virus. The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and getting an appointment is easy. Getting an annual flu shot is your best defense against the flu.
What are the symptoms of the seasonal flu?
Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly. Symptoms include a fever, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, chills, sore throat, cough, and a stuffy or runny nose. Some people may experience vomiting or diarrhea, but these symptoms are more common in children. Symptoms may last a few days and up to about a week.
Is it the flu or COVID-19?
The fall flu season is likely to coincide with a surge in COVID-19 cases. Some flu and COVID-19 symptoms are similar, so the best way to tell the difference is to get tested. Consider COVID testing at first signs of an upper respiratory illness. Also consider flu testing if you are at high-risk for flu complications, have severe or progressive disease or are hospitalized. Flu testing is more accurate within the first three to four days of symptoms. Also, it is possible to have both flu and COVID-19 at the same time.
How do I treat the flu?
Most people can recover from the flu at home. We recommend rest, drinking fluids such as water, soup and hot tea, and using over-the counter medications to help relieve symptoms. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, decongestants and cough suppressants may help. (Read more about treating the flu at home.)
Early treatment with an antiviral medicine such as Tamiflu may reduce the severity of influenza and may prevent serious flu-related complications. Talk to your doctor about this option.
If you have trouble breathing, feel short of breath, have a severe headache or stiff neck, call 911. If you have a fever that lasts longer than three days, symptoms that persist even with home treatment, wheezing, a cough that lasts more than a week or if your child is 3 months of age or younger and has a fever (100.4 or higher), call your doctor. (Read more about when to call your doctor for flu symptoms.)