VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT
Many vaccine information statements are
available in Spanish and other languages.
See www.immunize.org/vis
Hojas de información sobre vacunas están
disponibles en español y en muchos otros
idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis
U.S. Department of
Health and Human Service
s
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
1. Why get vaccinated?
Inuenza vaccine can prevent inuenza (u).
Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the
United States every year, usually between October
and May. Anyone can get the u, but it is more
dangerous for some people. Infants and young
children, people 65 years and older, pregnant people,
and people with certain health conditions or a
weakened immune system are at greatest risk of u
complications.
Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear
infections are examples of u-related complications.
If you have a medical condition, such as heart
disease, cancer, or diabetes, u can make it worse.
Flu can cause fever and chills, sore throat, muscle
aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuy
nose. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea,
though this is more common in children than adults.
In an average year, thousands of people in the
United States die from u, and many more are
hospitalized. Flu vaccine prevents millions of
illnesses and u-related visits to the doctor each year.
2. Influenza vaccines
CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older
get vaccinated every u season. Children 6 months
through 8 years of age may need 2 doses during a
single u season. Everyone else needs only 1 dose
each u season.
It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop
aer vaccination.
ere are many u viruses, and they are always
changing. Each year a new u vaccine is made to
protect against the inuenza viruses believed to be
likely to cause disease in the upcoming u season.
Even when the vaccine doesn’t exactly match these
viruses, it may still provide some protection.
Inuenza vaccine does not cause u.
Inuenza vaccine may be given at the same time as
other vaccines.
3. Talk with your health
care provider
Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting
the vaccine:
Has had an allergic reaction aer a previous
dose of inuenza vaccine, or has any severe, life-
threatening allergies
Has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also
called “GBS”)
In some cases, your health care provider may decide
to postpone inuenza vaccination until a future visit.
Inuenza vaccine can be administered at any
time during pregnancy. People who are or will be
pregnant during inuenza season should receive
inactivated inuenza vaccine.
People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be
vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill
should usually wait until they recover before getting
inuenza vaccine.
Your health care provider can give you more
information.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Inactivated or
Recombinant): What you need to know
OFFICE
USE
ONLY
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26
8/6/2021
Vaccine Information Statement
Inactivated Inuenza Vaccine
4. Risks of a vaccine reaction
Soreness, redness, and swelling where the shot
is given, fever, muscle aches, and headache can
happen aer inuenza vaccination.
ere may be a very small increased risk of
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) aer inactivated
inuenza vaccine (the u shot).
Young children who get the u shot along with
pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) and/or DTaP
vaccine at the same time might be slightly more
likely to have a seizure caused by fever. Tell your
health care provider if a child who is getting u
vaccine has ever had a seizure.
People sometimes faint aer medical procedures,
including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel
dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance
of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other
serious injury, or death.
5. What if there is a serious
problem?
An allergic reaction could occur aer the
vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs
of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the
face and throat, diculty breathing, a fast heartbeat,
dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person
to the nearest hospital.
For other signs that concern you, call your health
care provider.
Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your
health care provider will usually le this report, or
you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at
www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS
is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS sta
members do not give medical advice.
6. The National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program
e National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
(VICP) is a federal program that was created to
compensate people who may have been injured by
certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or
death due to vaccination have a time limit for ling,
which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP
website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or
call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and
about ling a claim.
7. How can I learn more?
Ask your health care provider.
Call your local or state health department.
Visit the website of the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for vaccine package
inserts and additional information at
www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC):
- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
- Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/u.