Frequently Asked Questions

• Best way to prevent the flu? Get vaccinated!
• When do I need to get vaccinated?
• Who should have a flu shot?
• Who should not have a flu shot?
• Who should have nasal spray?
• Who should not have nasal spray?
• For More Information

What is the Flu?

Many people confuse influenza with a cold or a 24-hour virus. The flu can cause several symptoms such as body/muscle aches, high fever, chills, headaches, sore throat, cough and other symptoms that restrict activity for three days or more. Although many flu cases are mild, some people suffer serious complications.

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Best way to prevent the flu? Get vaccinated!

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year.

Two types of vaccines exist:

• The Flu Shot is an inactivated vaccine that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved to use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• The FluMist is a nasal-spray flu vaccine, which is made with live, weakend flu viruses that do not cause the flu. FluMist nasal spray is approved for use in healthy people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

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When do I need to get vaccinated?

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years. Though it varies, flu season can last as late as May.

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Who should have a flu shot?

Flu shots are recommended for the following:

• Persons 50 years of age or older
• Adults and children 6 months or older with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders, including asthma
• Children 6 months of age up to their 19th birthday
• Women who will be pregnant during influenza season
• Healthcare workers involved in direct patient care
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children who are 6 months of age or less
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on chronic aspirin therapy

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Who should not have a flu shot?

• Persons with fever or an acute illness
• Persons allergic to eggs or chicken feathers
• Persons with a history of Guillian–Barre syndrome
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on chronic aspirin therapy
• Children under the age of 6 months

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Who should have nasal spray?

Healthy persons who are 2-49 years of age.

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Who should not have nasal spray?

• Persons 50 year or over and those under 2 years of age
• Persons with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders, including asthma, diabetes and any illness that weakens the immune system
• Children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy
• Household contacts or caregivers of people with severely weakened immune systems should not receive the nasal spray or avoid contact for 21/days
• Women who are or will be pregnant during influenza season
• Persons with history of Guillian-Barre Syndrome
• Persons allergic to eggs or chicken feathers

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For More Information

Information on influenza, including flu shots and flu nasal spray, is also available online at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov.

For more information on the VNA Flu Prevention program, or to request VNA as your flu vaccination provider, call Andrea Witt, Flu Prevention Coordinator, at (402) 930-4222, or awitt@thevnacares.org.

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