1. Can the flu shot give me the flu?
3. I hate shots. Can I get the nasal mist instead?
4. I got my flu shot last year. Why do I need it again?
5. Does it matter where I go to get vaccinated?
6. Is it ever too late to get a flu shot?
2. Does it matter which arm I get vaccinated in?
9. Will I have to take these medications forever?
8. Will I be able to afford this medication?
7. JAK inhibitors are still pretty new – are you sure they’re safe?
6. I read that JAK inhibitors increase the risk of blood clots. Should I be worried?
5. Can taking a JAK inhibitor cause cancer?
4. Why do I need to get certain vaccinations first?
3. Will taking a JAK inhibitor shut down my immune system?
2. If one JAK inhibitor doesn’t help me, does that mean none of them will?
1. Which JAK inhibitor is most likely to help me?
Questions About the Flu Vaccine, Answered
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This is a common and persistent myth. For starters, the flu shot contains inactivated or weakened flu virus, or fragments of the virus, none of which can make you sick with the flu. “You’re also putting it in a place where the virus normally doesn’t replicate, which is your arm,” says Dr. Pekosz. That said, the vaccine can come with mild side effects, which most often include redness, soreness, or swelling at the injection site. Some people may experience fatigue, a headache, a low-grade fever, muscle aches, or nausea for a day or two after vaccination. “This is just your immune response kicking in. You’re not actually getting the flu from the flu vaccine,” Pekosz explains.
Essential Facts About the Flu Vaccine
“Usually, it doesn’t ” says Pekosz. The choice is entirely up to you. Most providers recommend getting it in your non-dominant arm, though, especially since the vaccine is injected into the muscle and can make you a little sore.
“Some people don’t like needles,” says Schaffner. A nasal spray vaccine is available for people ages 2 to 49. But it isn’t recommended for everyone — including people who are under age 2, pregnant, or immunocompromised — as a precautionary measure, because it’s made from a live weakened influenza virus.
For two reasons: First, the vaccine becomes less effective over time, so getting a new one each year will give you maximum protection. Second, the vaccine components are optimized each year to protect against the exact strains of the virus believed to pose the most risk during the upcoming flu season.
“All influenza vaccines are manufactured according to FDA standards, so you can get your vaccine wherever you want,” says Schaffner. There are lots of options: your doctor’s office, pharmacy, school, or workplace — even a local clinic, hospital, or health department. The nasal spray vaccine can be self-administered in the comfort of your own home.
The CDC recommends getting your flu vaccine by the end of October. “If you happen to miss this window, and you’re still not vaccinated after Thanksgiving or even the holidays, it’s not too late to get the influenza vaccine,” says Schaffner. Flu season peaks from December to February and can last through spring.
