How to Decide to Get a Flu Shot

Getting a flu shot in October or November of each year is the best way to protect against the flu. The innoculation contains an inactivated vaccine composed of a dead flu virus. The alternative method, using a nasal spray flu vaccine, is made with live, weakened flu viruses. Each vaccine protects starts protecting you in about 2 weeks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Determine if you are in the high-risk group. Persons who should get the vaccine include people over age 50, pregnant women, children between 6 months and 5 years old, any person with a chronic medical problem and people who live in nursing homes or long term care facilities.
2. Consider the possible side affects. In some people, the shot can cause redness and soreness around the innoculation site and produce low-grade fever and aches for one or two days. The nasal spray flu vaccine can cause runny noses, headaches, sore throats and coughs.
3. Notify your physician if you have experienced a severe reaction to the flu vaccine in the past. The flu vaccine is not approved for children under 6 months of age. If you are ill with a fever, you should delay getting the vaccine until your condition improves. You should also tell your doctor if you're allergic to chicken eggs.
4. Choose the vaccine type based on your age and possible side affects. You can get the flu shot in your arm or elsewhere on your body. If you are between 2 and 49 years of age, and not pregnant, you can take the nasal spray flu vaccine.