Anytime you pierce the skin and put something into the body it can cause a topical reaction, says Dr. Adalja. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever while you wait for the soreness to fade, but if the pain is very noticeable or decreasing your mobility, Dr. Adalja recommends checking with your doctor. A Feeling Of General Discomfort Called Malaise 2. If you’re feeling sore in places other than your arm, it's usually nothing to worry about, though Dr. Adalja notes that the flu shot does take two weeks to become fully effective — so your body aches could be a sign of the actual flu, since viral strains are probably circulating around the time you get the vaccine. You probably won’t get a fever because of the vaccine, but if you do, it should be low-grade (less than 101 degrees). If you have a confirmed egg allergy, you can likely still get the shot, the CDC says. are ill with a temperature greater than 38 degrees Celsius , you should wait until you are well before getting the vaccine. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? Are you planning to get your flu shot this year? It plays a role in hundreds of reactions in our bodies and is extremely important for fighting infection, so if you think you may not be getting enough Zinc through your diet, you might want to consider a supplement. Low Energy 9. But then, roll up your sleeve anyway because flu season is coming. According to the NHS, it’s very rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction – also known as anaphylaxis – to the jab. Having the flu vaccine will also stop you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of serious problems from flu. How effective is the flu jab in preventing illness? If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression. However, they tend to be mild and should normally clear up … But can you get a flu jab if you’re already suffering from cold symptoms? © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Remember, both tea and coffee are diuretics, so they don’t count towards your water intake – stick to clear liquids when you’re aiming for the two litre rule. Common side effects of the flu vaccine include soreness at site of vaccination, headache, fever, nausea, and muscle aches. High street pharmacies Boots and Lloyds have suspended bookings, while the waiting list at some GP surgeries stands at several weeks. Some people may experience some side effects to the vaccine, which can appear as flu-like symptoms. Flu vaccines are very safe. Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed, Demand for the flu vaccine has soared amid the threat of coronavirus this winter. Face masks, hand washing, social distancing and avoiding gatherings are all essential for fighting and ending the COVID-19 pandemic. The best way for vulnerable groups to get protected against the flu is to get the jab - and PHE aims to immunise 30 million people this winter in the largest flu vaccine programme Britain has ever undertaken. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use. Even so, getting your flu shot will still be as important as ever. This is less of a side effect of the vaccine itself and more a side effect of a needle phobia, says Dr. Adalja. Therefore, it cannot give you flu. To book your jab either speak to your GP surgery, or find a local pharmacy which offers the service. Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. A Fibrous Thickening Of The Skin Called Induration 3. "A very small percentage of people can have a true allergic reaction to the vaccine including chest tightness, difficulty breathing, wheezing, facial or throat swelling and redness of the eyes," says Dr. Teague. Getting a flu jab is one of the best way to protect yourself against the risk of influenza and its complications. Severe allergic reactions typically occur within a few hours of receiving the vaccine. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. If you have a minor illness or mild cold symptoms, such as a runny nose, you can still get a flu shot. Also, keep in mind not everyone has symptoms, but those are the most common. THE FLU VACCINE will be free of charge for children aged two to 12 years in Ireland from October to December. CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. Children aged six months or less are too young to get a flu jab as they do not yet have a fully functioning immune system. You should also seek immediate medical attention for this type of reaction. This is just a sign that your immune system is activating. Common flu shot side effects The flu vaccine won't give you the flu, but you can experience mild symptoms because of how the vaccine works. The flu vaccine starts to work within 2 weeks. But if you do get flu after you have the vaccine, it's likely to be milder and you will recover more quickly. This is why it is called seasonal flu. “So you may have been incubating another virus .”. If you are in an at-risk group, you should get the flu vaccine as early into the flu season as you can. Reactions At The Site Of The Injection This year health authorities are asking everyone to get a flu shot to avoid a "twindemic" and the potential stress it could add to an already taxed health care system. Our Winter Flu Vaccination Service is a simple and convenient way to help protect against the flu. With that in mind, there are some important steps we can all take to protect ourselves and others from flu. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. The vaccine is available every year to adults and children at risk of flu and its complications. Read our cookies policy to find out more about cookies and how we use them. Some groups of people are more at risk of getting complications if they catch flu. page last reviewed: 12/06/2019next review due: 12/06/2022. According to the NHS, If you’ve already had Covid-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine as it will be effective at protecting you against the risk of influenza. The flu vaccine protects against three or four strains of influenza. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "Patients can also develop an infection at the injection site which is manifested as worsening redness, swelling, warmth and tenderness," Dr. Teague says. © CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Exercise regularly and often. Without sufficient sleep, your body makes fewer cytokines - a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation and so effectively creates the immune response. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. "If you can eat scrambled eggs, you’re not going to have a problem with the flu shot,” Dr. Adalja says. But the fact is, the flu jab doesn't make you sick. Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. These are the strains most likely to be circulating this flu season. This is because the antibodies that protect you decline over time. We would also like to set optional cookies (analytical, functional and YouTube) to enhance and improve our service. YOU'VE probably heard someone say they aren't getting the flu jab because it can make you feel ill. And if you’ve had an allergic reaction to the flu shot in the past, you are among those few groups of people who the CDC recommends skip the flu shot. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and take antibacterial gel with you whenever you leave the house. It will not stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary. CHECK OUT WPTZ:Get the latest Plattsburgh and Burlington news of the day. “There are lots of myths about egg allergies and the vaccine," he explains—because most flu shots and nasal sprays are manufactured using technology that involves small amounts of egg proteins, per the CDC. For the actual flu shot side effects to be aware of, read through this list. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression 1. According to the CDC, flu shots are safe and one of the best ways to prevent getting and spreading the flu to others. The flu vaccine won't give you the flu, but you can experience mild symptoms because of how the vaccine works. We use strictly necessary cookies to make our site work. The flu vaccine doesn't contain any live viruses. While very few serious side effects have been reported, many people experience mild side effects to the flu shot (intramuscular injection) or nasal spray flu vaccine. The flu shot also takes about two weeks to become effective at protecting you from the flu, so you could technically catch the flu within that two-week window. People who should get the vaccine but are not at risk of getting complications include those who: Read more about flu vaccine for healthcare workers, Vaccines needed during pregnancy - flu vaccine. This means it can't give you the flu. Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in different coloured fruits and vegetables, to give your body a wide variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients to help it fight infection. Headache 7. It’ll go away on its own, but if it’s really bugging you, you can take ibuprofen (Advil) or acetominophen (Tylenol). But the vaccine is currently in short supply due to unprecedented demand caused by coronavirus. All rights reserved. You need to get a new vaccine each year. Flu vaccines have been given to millions of people worldwide for over 60 years, including to pregnant women. Here's why that happens. Everyone needs a different number of hours of sleep each night to feel their best, but you should aim to have between seven and eight for your body to function optimally the next day. The flu shot cannot give you the flu. But then, roll up your sleeve anyway because flu season is coming. You need to have the flu vaccine every year. The body relies heavily on being hydrated to work at its very best, but its importance is vastly overlooked. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself from getting the flu. In fact, a 2015 study found 43 per cent of people believed that getting the vaccine could give you the flu. "The flu vaccine is … Read more about the Nasal Flu Vaccine. Talk to your GP. Flu Vaccine Qs 2019-20 (6 Mos Up)(PF)60 Mcg(15 Mcg X 4)/0.5 Ml IM Susp Side Effects by Likelihood and Severity COMMON side effects. But he also says the connection between GBS and the flu vaccine has been overhyped: “People should remember that influenza itself is much more likely to cause GBS than the vaccine.”. The CDC says you can experience "flu-like" symptoms after getting the vaccine, such as: The symptoms listed above should resolve in a few days. "The second thing is, we give the flu vaccine when lots of coughs and colds start - so a lot of people are already brewing a cold when they get the vaccine done. It’s difficult for us to get enough Vitamin D from sunlight in the UK, so the Government actually advises adults to take a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement during the winter months.