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Flu Vaccine Information

Monday thru Friday from 7:45am to 10pm Flu Shots/Mist will be available using our walk-in service.

When should I get vaccinated for the flu season?
Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. Influenza season most often peaks in January or February or later, so for people not able to get their influenza vaccine in the fall, vaccination in December, January and beyond is beneficial in most years (For general information on the timing of flu seasons in the United States, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm.)

If I get vaccinated in August or early September will I be protected all season?
Yes. The protection (immunity) provided by the vaccine lasts about a year, so vaccination in August or early September will continue to provide protection for the duration of the United States flu season, which can last until April or May. Getting vaccinated as soon as vaccine is available may be most important for children being vaccinated against flu for the first time, who need to get two doses of flu vaccine at least 4 weeks apart.

Will this year's vaccine protect me against the flu?
The flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. This year's influenza vaccine contains the following strains.

They are:

  • A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus;
  • A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus;
  • B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus;

The 2011-2012 influenza vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses, or it can make your illness milder if you get a related but different strain of flu virus. These are the same viruses that were selected for the northern hemisphere for the 2010-2011 influenza season.

For more information about the effectiveness of flu vaccine, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

For more information about how the viruses in the vaccine are selected, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/virusqa.htm

Who should get vaccinated this season?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

People recommended for vaccination during the 2011-2012 flu season are:

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when 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. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it's especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.

How many doses will my child need? 

  • Children age 6 months through 8 years who are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time this year need 2 doses separated by at least 4 weeks. Children who receive influenza vaccine for the first time in the immediate previous season and only received 1 dose will need 2 doses in the current season.
  • Children age 9 years and older will only need 1 dose.

My child had a flu shot last year. Why does she need another one this year?         

The strains, or "types," of flu virus are usually different every year. A unique version of the flu vaccine is developed each year, which is intended to fight that particular strain.

Could my child get sick from the vaccine itself?                                                                                 

No. Most children are immune within 2 weeks of getting the vaccine. Side effects usually are minor and include soreness at the site of the injection and a low-grade fever.

Will you have the nasal-spray vaccine available? 

Yes. You will have a choice between the injectable version and the nasal spray version, FluMist. FluMist is not an appropriate option for everyone. Your pediatrician will recommend the best option for your child.

  • The "flu shot" - an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle - is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
  • The nasal-spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened Influenza virus - is approved for use in healthy people, 2-49 years of age, who are not pregnant or do not have a history of asthma or wheezing.

Will the nasal-spray flu vaccine be covered by my insurance?                                                          

Most likely.  FluMist is covered by most insurance companies; however, we ask that you check with yours before receiving FluMist. 

My child has an egg allergy. Will this prevent him from being able to get the flu vaccine?

We will still vaccinate children with egg allergies this year in clinic. However, we will ask you to stay in the clinic for 30 minutes after the administration of the vaccine to monitor your child for any adverse reactions.  Children with a history of true anaphylaxis, will be referred to an allergist for further evaluation and possible vaccination.