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The flu virus mutates enough each year that immunity to last year's strain doesn't mean you will be immune to this year's strain.
That's why, each year, they manufacture flu vaccine based on what they think that year's strain will look like. Sometimes they're wrong, and that year's vaccine isn't effective against that year's flu, but this is fairly uncommon.
The H1N1 vaccine is tailored specifically to the Swine Flu outbreak this year, and has been proven to be effective against it.
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What if you have been exposed and did not have a flu shot?
You may get the flu. Next year get the flu vaccination.
Is the Swine Flu shot really a shot?
They don't shoot you, and it isn't a 'shot' of a drink, it's a needle in the arm. In the 2009-2010 flu season there was a mist as well as a shot for the vaccination for swine flu. In the 2010-2011 flu season the vaccine for swine flu protection is included in the one vaccination for the seasonal flu.
Does the swine flu shot help you?
Yes, it's a vaccination that helps you prevent the swine flu infection.
Has anyone who did not get the flu shot died from the flu?
Yes, each year in the US approximately 36,000 people die from the flu; most did not have a flu vaccination.
How do you get the flu when you already got a flu shot?
There are many different types of flu and the seasonal flu shot only prevents three of the most likely to be circulating flu viruses. So if you happened to get exposed to a type of flu that wasn't in the vaccination, then you could get sick from it.Another reason might be that you caught the flu before you got the flu shot and so there was not time for the shot to work before you got sick.Another reason might be that you got the shot and then were exposed to the flu before your immune system could give you immunity from the vaccination. It takes around two weeks after getting the vaccination for an adult to have full immunity from it. For children under 10, a series of two vaccinations are needed given approximately a month apart, then it takes another few weeks before the body has developed the full immunity, so exposure during any of those time frames before full immunity can cause illness in those children.
Who recovers more quickly from the flu someone who had a flu shot or someone who had no flu shot and why?
After a person receives a vaccination the bodies immunity system starts to prepare antibodies hence the person with a flu shot has greater chances of fighting aganist the disease
Should you get a Swine Flu vaccination if you got a seasonal flu shot?
Last flu season, 2009-2010, you needed two shots. But this year the seasonal flu shot also protects against swine flu, so, in the US, you only need one flu shot for the 2010-2011 flu season.
Does taking antibiotics 2 days after getting flu shot cancel the vaccination?
No, it would not interfere in the development of immunity from the vaccination. Flu vaccinations are used to protect you from the flu which is caused by a virus. Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria that are already infecting you. Antibiotics do not do anything to viruses and a viral vaccination won't work for bacterial infections either. The germs are different and so the medications are too.
Should you skip your flu shot?
Absolutely not, unless you want to risk getting the flu, as long as you are able to get the vaccination. Everyone who can should get the annual seasonal flu vaccination. Unless you are allergic to ingredients in the flu vaccine or your doctor tells you not to get it, don't skip it. If in doubt, contact your health care professional.
How do you know if you have had Swine Flu?
Unless you were tested when you were ill, there is really no way to know for sure which type of flu you may have had. If you were not tested at the time, to be sure you have immunity to the swine flu, it is advised that you get a vaccination. It will not hurt you if you already had the same flu, and it can prevent another illness if the flu you had was a different strain. For best protection from the flu during the 2009-2010 flu season, get both a swine flu vaccination and a seasonal flu vaccination.
Can you get the flu shot when wheezing?
It is usually good to not bombard your immune system with too many things at once, so it is commonly recommended that you not get a flu shot if you have a fever. The fever indicates that your body is already fighting something, and then it is best to wait until your are fever-free to get the vaccination. If you don't have a fever, then you can probably get the vaccination, but tell the clinician who will be giving you the vaccination about your breathing symptoms and they will decide if there is any reason not to give it to you. If your wheezing is severe or you have not yet had it evaluated by a physician, it might be better to also wait to get the flu shot until after you have consulted with a health care professional about the wheeze and then to also ask about getting a flu shot.
You had your flu shot when you went to see a doctor for cold and flu Is the flu shot effective?
Yes, flu vaccines will work. It is basically dead or weakened flu viruses that are injected into your body. When your immune system finds the viruses, it makes antibodies to kill them, and this develops an immunity to that specific type of flu. If you are asking how long from the time you get the shot until your immunity is developed, then for healthy adults it is usually 2-3 weeks after the vaccination. Children under 10 need two vaccinations given a month apart because of their immature immune system functioning. Their full immunity will develop 2-4 weeks after the second vaccination.
