How do flu vaccines work?
Flu vaccines use killed or weakened forms of flu viruses to stimulate production of antibodies in the body. Once your body makes enough antibodies, it is protected against flu infection.

Are there different types of flu vaccine?
Yes. Two types of flu vaccines are currently available:

• The standard flu vaccine (flu shot), which uses killed flu viruses to help the body build immunity. Almost everyone older than 6 months of age can receive the standard flu vaccine. This type of flu vaccine cannot make you sick.
  
  
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine uses a live, weakened form of the flu virus that grows only in the nose and throat. Since this is a live virus vaccine that can cause mild illness, it is approved only for healthy people between five and 49 years of age, and is not recommended for pregnant women.

When should I get a flu vaccination?
After receiving flu vaccine, it takes about two weeks for the body to develop protective antibodies, so the best time to get vaccinated for the flu is during October and November (before the flu season really gets under way). However, getting a vaccination in later months can still be beneficial. Although every flu season is different, flu activity in the United States usually peaks between late December and early March.

Why do I need a flu vaccination every year?
Flu viruses change from year to year, which means two things. First, you can get the flu more than once during your lifetime. Second, a vaccine made to protect against flu viruses circulating last year may not protect against the newer viruses. That is why the influenza vaccine is updated to include current viruses every year. Another reason to get flu vaccine every year is that the level of protective antibodies in the body declines over time, and may be too low to provide protection after one year.

Although nearly everyone should get a flu vaccination, is it recommended for certain people?
Yes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends that people in any of the following groups receive a flu vaccine each year.

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu:

• Anyone 65 years or older, regardless of health status.
  
  
• Anyone living in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
  
  
• Anyone 6 months of age or older with chronic heart or lung conditions, like asthma.
  
  
• Anyone 6 months of age or older who has a recent history of metabolic diseases, chronic kidney disease or a weakened immune system.
  
  
• Anyone 6 months to 18 years of age who is on long-term aspirin therapy. (People in this age group that take aspirin and get sick with the flu are at a risk of developing Reye syndrome.)
  
  
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
  
  
• All children 6 to 23 months of age.

2. People 50 to 64 years of age:

• Nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have medical conditions that increase their risk of potentially serious flu complications.

3. People who will be in close contact with someone at high risk for complications from the flu (see above):

• This includes all health-care workers, caregivers of children 6 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years of age or older.

Should anyone not receive the flu vaccine?
Some people should not receive the vaccination or should wait before getting vaccinated:

• Anyone with a severe allergy to chicken eggs (an ingredient used to grow the virus used in the flu vaccine).
  
  
• Anyone who has had a reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
  
  
• Anyone who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
  
  
• Anyone currently sick that has a fever. (Once the fever goes down, it is okay to get vaccinated).
  
  
• Children younger than 6 months of age.

Where can I get a flu shot?
Check with your doctor or health care provider about availability, or stop by one of the following Clark County Health District public health centers weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

• Ravenholt Public Health Center, 625 Shadow Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89106
  
  
• East Las Vegas Public Health Center, 560 N. Nellis Blvd., Suite E12, Las Vegas, NV 89110
  
  
• Henderson Public Health Center, 129 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 10, Henderson, NV 89015
  
  
• North Las Vegas Public Health Center, 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, North Las Vegas, NV 89030

For information regarding vaccine availability at the Clark County Health District, please call the health district immunization project at (702) 383-1351.

For additional information on colds, flu and the flu vaccine, log on to the Clark County Health District web site at http://www.cchd.org.

# # #