Should I Get the Annual Flu Shot?

The influenza vaccine prevents millions of people from getting sick and dying each year. As we’ve learned during the COVID-19 outbreak, a vaccine prevents contagious diseases from infecting the public and overwhelming our hospitals.

It’s also true that on very rare occasions, people who receive vaccines get injured. Vaccine injuries can be devastating. However, they should not deter anyone from protecting themselves against contagious diseases like seasonal flu and H1N1.

I’m worried about side effects from the flu vaccine. What should I do?

We can all take precautions when talking about the safety of vaccines with our medical providers. This is especially true for the flu vaccine, which should be received on a yearly basis.

Here are some basic guidelines to follow courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get an influenza vaccine every flu season. However, there are some rare exceptions.

For instance, some influenza vaccinations are approved for adults, while others are approved for children. You should only receive a flu vaccine that is appropriate for your age.

Others with certain health conditions should discuss whether the influenza vaccination is appropriate with their medical provider. For example, if you have an egg allergy, you should discuss with your doctor whether the influenza vaccine is right for you.

If you have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), it may not be appropriate for you to receive a flu vaccine. If you’ve ever had GBS, you should discuss your medical history with your medical provider before receiving a flu shot.

Should I Get a Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine?

Nasal spray flu vaccines are an alternative to the flu shot. Nasal flu shots have been approved for individuals between the ages of 2 to 49 and for non-pregnant women.

If you do not fall into those categories, the nasal flu spray is not recommended. Even if you fall into these categories, there are other factors to consider when determining whether the nasal spray is appropriate. For example, other people who should not receive the nasal spray include children between the ages of 2 and 17 who take aspirin or salicylate-containing medications; people with weakened immune systems; children between 2 and 4 with asthma; and people who care for immunocompromised persons.

Even if you fall into the category of those who can receive the nasal flu spray, the CDC recommends those who have had GBS in the past talk with their medical provider before receiving the spray.

It is important to be informed before receiving any vaccine. I encourage anyone to discuss vaccine safety with their medical providers.

Diagnosed with GBS after getting the flu shot? We can help

For those who develop a rare injury due to the seasonal flu vaccine, the U.S. Government has created the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Our vaccine injury lawyers have successfully represented people who have been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of the flu shot. GBS is currently listed on the Vaccine Injury Table as a condition associated with the influenza vaccine.

If you believe you have suffered GBS as a result of a vaccine, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact us for a free case review at (312) 578-9501 or send us a message through the contact form at the bottom of the page.