Flu Vaccine Symptoms

The flu vaccine is meant to prevent the influenza virus. The flu hospitalizes up to 226,000 every year and kills more than 36,000 annually. It recommended to get vaccinated in the late fall to protect yourself from the winter flu season.

Types

• There are two types of flu vaccine. One has an inactive version of the virus which is administered through a shot into a muscle. The other has a weakened version of the virus which is administered through an inhalant.

Mild Side Effects

• Side effects--such as soreness at the site of administration, a light fever and body aches--are common. They will usually subside in a day or two.

Allergic Reaction

• Severe reactions--like hives, wheezing, rapid heart beat, and dizziness--are possible, but rare. If they occur, you should immediately call your doctor.

Warning

• People who are allergic to eggs or who had a reaction to the vaccine before should avoid it. Children under 6 months of age and people who are ill at the time of the vaccination should not get the flu vaccine.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

• In 1976, people developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome, where the immune system attacks the nervous system, from a batch of swine flu vaccine.