Why can't you get a flu shot when you have a cold?

Answer 1

For the best results, it is recommended that you not be ill when taking the flu shot. Take care of the cold, recover, and then get the shot. If you are noticeably ill, they may not give it to you.

Answer 2

As long as you don't have a high fever, mild cold symptoms should not stop you from getting the flu shot. However, it is better to wait until after the cold symptoms to use a nasal mist vaccination.

Answer 3

Basically what a flu shot does is introduce dead flu cells into your body. Your body then recognizes the flu cells as foreign matter and starts to fight it. You body figures out how to best fight the foreign matter. So later if you get the real flu your body has already figured out how to fight it. If you get the flu shot while your body is already fighting another foreign matter it can't do both very well, or it may think the cold bug and flu shot is one foreign matter and fight them together, and not fighting either very well.

But unless you have a high fever, mild cold symptoms should not prevent you from taking the vaccination.

Answer 4

Usually you can still get a flu shot if you have a mild cold, as long as you do not have a fever. Inform the clinician giving you the vaccination about your symptoms and the cold and they can decide if the vaccination is appropriate or if you should wait. If you have a fever, however, wait for the vaccine until after the fever is gone for a full 24 hours.

Fever indicates that your immune system is actively fighting an infection (the cold), while this is happening, it is usually best to wait until your immune system is less stressed and the fever is gone before getting vaccinations.

In addition, it is also best to rest in bed and stay out of public when you are infected with a cold so you don't spread it to others or delay your recovery, even if you don't have a fever.

Answer 5

Most people can, because most people don't get a fever from a cold. If you have a fever, you should not get a flu shot, but if you only have a mild cold without fever, it is okay to go ahead and get the vaccination, if you are an otherwise healthy person. The clinician who gives the flu vaccination will ask if you have had a fever and if the answer is yes, they will advise you to wait to get the immunization.

Answer 6

Usually it is not a problem to get a flu vaccination with a mild illness such as a common cold, however, you should not get it if you have a fever. Wait for a full 24 hours after getting over a fever of 101 or above before going into public or getting a vaccination.

Answer 7

Yes
The Common Cold and Influenza are two completely different diseases

Answer 8

The answer to your question is yes, however, getting a vaccination while still suffering from the flu is a waste of time.

Answer 9

Not much point really because after you have had the flu you will be immune to it, which is what the flu jab would do but using a weakened/dead version of the flu.