Name: Flu vaccine - who gets it?
Creator: Dr Karen Martin
Published: 2023-02-14T18:23:25.264Z

People who fit the following criteria should get a flu vaccine:

- Anyone aged 65 and over
- Those with certain long-term health conditions, such as heart or respiratory conditions, diabetes, physical disability, or a weakened immune system
- Pregnant women
- Caregivers
- Children

It’s best to get your shot before flu season starts, in September or October. Your doctor will determine the vaccine's correct dosing schedule for children aged 6 months to 8 years.

What other groups should get the vaccine?

They can! Make sure you are fit and well on the day, and the sooner in the season you get it, the earlier that you are protected.  

Why can’t everyone get it?

Influenza is the name of the virus that causes flu and its symptoms. It is common, and up to 2 in 10 people develop it yearly.

Influenza commonly causes a fever, [sore throat](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/sore-throat-triggers-and-treatments-to-soothe-and-repair), [cough](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/coughs-how-to-soothe-symptoms-and-when-to-worry), sore muscles, and feeling poorly. Symptoms tend to come on quite fast, as opposed to the gradual onset the [common cold](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/condition/common-cold) brings – different viruses are responsible for colds.

For most people, the flu will lead to some days in bed feeling rotten. For the elderly, young children, or people with other serious medical problems, it can be serious, and a number of people die from the flu each year.

The flu virus typically hits in winter, which is why the [flu vaccine](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/flu-vaccine-101) is offered in the run-up to flu season every autumn. The virus can change a bit from year to year, making it hard for our immune systems to recognize it. We may get severe symptoms as the immune system sets to work to protect us.

The flu shots are updated to keep up with this ever-changing virus, and that’s why we need them every year.

Certain vaccinations are recommended in pregnancy to boost the immunity of both your and your baby against certain infections.

During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is usually weakened as it is diverted to protect the baby. Some vaccines are boosters of vaccinations you may have had in childhood.

Certain vaccinations are safe, and some pose a risk – your practice nurse, midwife, or doctor can talk you through this. Any potential risk posed by a vaccine is considerably less than getting the infection itself.

COVID-19 vaccine – checklist before you get your jab

The vaccine slot’s booked, you’re all set to go, but first, just run through our checklist to make sure you’re in the best position healthwise to get your shot. 

Pregnancy can be a minefield of new health concerns – eating the right foods, avoiding the wrong ones, taking essential supplements, keeping up with health checks. You want the best for you and your baby and the COVID-19 pandemic has added a whole new heap of stress to your journey through pregnancy.

The vaccine is one such consideration. Whether you have not been vaccinated yet, have received only one dose, or are due for the booster dose, there’s conflicting information out there and it can be tough to work out what’s best.

The doctors here at Healthwords follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in advising you that getting fully vaccinated offers the best protection for you and your baby. Real-world data suggests that pregnant women that are unvaccinated are significantly more likely to end up seriously unwell or needing hospital care than those who are vaccinated. Your baby may also risk being born prematurely if you contract COVID-19.

Flu is common, and just over 1 in every 10 people suffer from it each year, typically in autumn and winter. Influenza is the name of the virus that causes flu and its symptoms. There are three main types of influenza virus, called A, B and C, although it is usually the type A virus that causes the worst epidemics. Type C influenza is mild to the extent that it is often indistinguishable from a common cold. Type A influenza is usually more debilitating than type B.

Symptoms begin after an incubation period of one to four days and include a high temperature up to 103F, headache, loss of appetite, muscular aches and pains, weakness and marked exhaustion or fatigue.

Symptoms often continue for about a week unless there are complications, in which case new symptoms may commence in the second week. Symptoms tend to come on quite fast, as opposed to the gradual onset the common cold brings – different viruses are responsible for colds.

For most people, the flu will lead to some days spent in bed feeling rotten. For the elderly, young children, or people with other serious medical problems it can be serious, and a number of people die from the flu each year.

The flu virus typically hits in winter, while the flu vaccine is offered in the autumn run-up to flu season. The virus can change in nature from year to year, but flu shots keep up with this ever-changing virus, and that’s why we need a booster every year.

The symptoms of the flu are similar to the symptoms of [COVID-19](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/condition/covid-19-coronavirus-415) so it is important if you have a continuous cough, fever or a loss of taste or smell, to follow the current government guidelines in your area.

A vaccine (also known as vaccination, immunization, or jab) is when your body is given a modified version of a virus or bacteria so that your immune system can develop immunity against it without getting the harmful illness associated with it. This is usually in the form of a small injection and is why it is also known as a "jab" and tends to be given into the muscle in your upper arm. 

Vaccines have been key in preventing serious and potentially fatal infectious diseases. There are also seasonal vaccines, such as the flu vaccine and travel vaccines, that you will only require if you are traveling to certain places abroad where some diseases are more prevalent than in the US. There are also specific vaccines, such as hepatitis, depending on your risks of exposure to blood-borne viruses. 

The bacteria or viruses are made safe for a vaccine by either weakening, changing, or killing them so that they cannot cause harm. If a vaccine uses a weakened version of the pathogen (virus or bacteria), then it should be considered whether it is safe to give to people with a lowered immune system. 

All approved and licensed vaccines have gone through clinical trials, meaning that they have been thoroughly tested and are safe for use. The side effects of vaccines are usually mild and short-lived; however, in a very small number of people, a severe allergic reaction can occur, known as anaphylaxis. It is not common, but it is life-threatening. It can develop quickly, causing the swelling of airways and difficulty breathing along with other symptoms such as feeling faint or dizzy, feeling sick, and collapsing. Any signs of anaphylaxis should be responded to by calling 911 immediately. 

With the rise of COVID-19, we’ve had to grapple with a whole new scientific vocabulary. Herd immunity (or community immunity) is often mentioned, but what does it mean? We’ll explain that in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines.  

Herd immunity means enough of a population is immune to a specific infectious disease (a pathogen such as a virus or bacteria) that it stops the spread. If the virus fails to spread from person to person, fewer people will become unwell and die. And the pathogen will fall to very low levels.  

Immunity can come from catching the disease and building antibodies: these have a memory that means the next time you meet the pathogen, your immune system recognizes it and rapidly kicks into action to defeat it, and you avoid serious illness or death. This is known as natural immunity.  

The vaccine also gives immunity. Similarly, it teaches your immune system to recognize the pathogen and build memory cells so it’s primed to fight off any future invasions. This is desirable if the disease carries a high risk of serious illness or death, such as COVID-19. But natural immunity is preferred for something like the common cold, as it’s not a serious disease, so they haven’t developed a vaccine.

Flu is the common name for illness caused by the influenza virus. It brings on [headache](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/symptom/headaches-181), muscle aches, [sore throat](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/sore-throat-triggers-and-treatments-to-soothe-and-repair), runny nose, and [cough](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/coughs-how-to-soothe-symptoms-and-when-to-worry). It's much worse than the [common cold](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/condition/common-cold), often requiring a few days in bed, struggling with fever, poor appetite, and feeling very tired and drained.

It usually comes in the winter, it's highly contagious, and most people have experienced it at one time or another. If you're healthy, you have a miserable 2 to 7 days, then get better and back to normal life. The risk comes to those who are elderly or have ongoing medical conditions. It can also hard-hit those with suppressed immune systems from conditions or medication. It causes inflammation in the lungs and airways, leading to breathing problems, [pneumonia](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/pneumonia-causes-symptoms-treatment), and even death.

Antibiotics won't help as they don't work on viruses, only bacteria. Your immune system will fight it off, and you may need intravenous fluids and oxygen if you are admitted to the hospital.

COVID vaccine in children aged 6 months-17 years: your questions answered

The US COVID-19 vaccine program has been extended to include all children aged 6 months and over. This has been carefully debated and analyzed as to any potential risks and benefits, and how this affects both each individual child and the wider community. 

It remains up to parents to consent for any child (the definition of child varies by state), and they must weigh what’s best for their child. Whatever your final decision, let’s give you the facts as we understand them to help you on the way. 

The US has been later than some countries to offer this to children, which gives us the advantage of their experience, so we now have worldwide data from tens of millions of children, along with lab data and that from the millions of adults vaccinated. 

The flu vaccine – your questions answered

We've been sitting in our offices recently and getting many questions about the [flu vaccine](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/flu-vaccine-who-gets-it-288). The roll-out happens yearly, and many people are up-to-date with most of the general information surrounding it. Now and again, we get asked questions that keep us on our toes, and we've collated these here for your information.

First is how long it takes to gain protection after vaccination. Like all vaccinations, the flu shot works by stimulating the immune system into a defense response. This does take time: science suggests it can take 1 to 2 weeks until you are fully protected. Getting your vaccination early will ensure you are protected as soon as possible.

Dr Karen Martin

Pharmacist and Head of US Content

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months, with rare exceptions, should receive a yearly [flu vaccine](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/flu-vaccine-101). This is especially important for people in certain categories that make them vulnerable to severe illness if they catch the [influenza](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/condition/influenza) virus and which can then cause breathing difficulties, [pneumonia](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/pneumonia-causes-symptoms-treatment), sepsis and death.

The flu vaccine is also highly recommended for health care workers for two reasons: firstly so they don't pass on the virus to their patients, and secondly so they don't become unwell and require time off sick.

Flu vaccine - who gets it?

Doctor’s advice

What other groups should get the vaccine?

Why can’t everyone get it?

Related topics

Influenza

Vaccinations in pregnancy

COVID-19 vaccine – checklist before you get your jab

COVID vaccine in pregnancy

Flu

Vaccine

Herd immunity

Flu vaccine 101

COVID vaccine in children aged 6 months-17 years: your questions answered

The flu vaccine – your questions answered