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By now you understand the best way to keep flu from spreading is to prevent it in the first place. And the best way to prevent influenza is through annual vaccination. [1]

There are two types of vaccine in the US. The traditional annual "flu shot" vaccine is a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV). This vaccine contains 3 inactive (killed) viruses: 2 type A viruses (H3N2 and H1N1) and 1 type B virus. [2]

You cannot get influenza from the flu shot.

The second type, a nasal-spray vaccine, is made with a live, but weakened version of influenza virus. This is called Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV). These vaccines can change each year depending on surveillance and estimation of which virus strains may be present in a given year. [19]

Important safety information about flu vaccines

The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever, and aches. If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.

As with any vaccine, the flu shot is not 100% effective. The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends in part on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation.

The role of antivirals

Antiviral drugs are also effective in the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza. [2] Antivirals are not a substitute for annual vaccinations in the battle against the influenza virus.

For more detailed information on antivirals, click here

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