 your community.
- Getting vaccinated could protect your family and save someone from getting dangerously ill. Babies and young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and people with certain medical conditions are all at increased risk of serious complications from influenza. Getting vaccinated reduces the spread of flu from you to them, which can protect your family members, co-workers, and all those around you.
These are some of the flu vaccines available and for whom they are recommended.
Influenza – Trivalent (Standard)
Recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older*
Trivalent vaccines protect against two influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus
Influenza – Flucelvax (Quadrivalent preservative-free)
Flucelvax is approved to prevent seasonal flu in people ages 18 years and older. A standard quadrivalent shot containing virus grown in cell culture instead of eggs protects against two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses
Influenza – High Dose
A high-dose trivalent shot recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as an option for persons 65 years of age and older
The CDC has information on its website about other types of flu vaccines that are available.
Can the Shot Give Me the Flu?
One common question people often ask about flu vaccines is, “Can a flu shot give me the flu?”
The answer is no. The viruses contained in flu shots are inactivated (killed), so they cannot cause infection.
It is still possible, however, to get the flu after getting a flu shot. The flu vaccine is not 100% effective and does not take effect until one or two weeks after it is received. During this time, you will be just as susceptible to getting the flu as individuals who have not received the vaccination. However, the vaccination can also make your symptoms milder in the event you do get the flu.