The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel about getting vaccinated. There are a lot of questions and misconceptions about flu vaccines. Read along to see how you can be better prepared this flu season.
Every adult 65 and older should take the flu seriously, but especially those with underlying conditions such as chronic lung disease (asthma or COPD), heart disease, diabetes, and those with compromised immune systems. For those adults, the flu can lead to further flu-related complications. For those adults, the flu can lead to further flu-related complications.
1. Is the flu just like a cold?
FACT: Flu can be more serious than you may think. It can trigger dangerous flu-related complications like heart attack, pneumonia, and hospitalizations in people 65+. Older adults and people with chronic health conditions are at higher risk.
2. Can you get the flu from the flu shot?
FACT: Flu shots do not contain a live virus, so you simply cannot get flu from a flu shot.
3. Is the flu shot expensive?
FACT: Flu vaccines are $0 for almost everyone. People with private insurance or Medicare Part D typically do not pay out-of-pocket costs.
4. Does the flu vaccine provide full protection immediately after you receive the shot?
FACT: It typically takes approximately two weeks to get protection from a flu vaccine. Make sure you schedule your flu shot with this fact in mind.
5. Is there only one flu vaccine?
FACT: Not all flu shots are the same. Flu vaccines are created with different doses and formulations to fit different people’s needs. In fact, the CDC recommends that people 65+ receive a higher dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine because your immune system weakens as you age. However, if none of those preferred vaccines are available, the CDC recommends you should get vaccinated with another available flu vaccine versus not getting vaccinated at all.
Click here to find Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent (Influenza Vaccine) near you.
What is FLUZONE® HIGH-DOSE QUADRIVALENT (INFLUENZA VACCINE)?
Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is a vaccine that helps protect against influenza illness (flu). Fluzone High- Dose Quadrivalent vaccine is for people 65 years of age and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine, including eggs or egg products, or after previous dose of any influenza vaccine.
Tell your health care provider if you have ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness) after a previous influenza vaccination.
If Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is given to people with a compromised immune system, including those receiving therapies that suppress the immune system, the immune response may be lower than expected.
Vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent may not protect all people who receive the vaccine.
For Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, in adults 65 years of age and older, the most common side effects were pain, redness and/or swelling where you got the shot; muscle ache, headache, and general discomfort. Other side effects may occur.
For more information, talk to your health care professional and refer to the full Prescribing Information for Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent. Also, please see complete Patient Information for Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent.
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