FAQs from the Oregon Flu Vaccine Locator Hotline, 1-800-978-3040

Q. Who needs a flu vaccination this year?

A: Everyone aged 6 months and older should receive an annual influenza vaccination, which will protect you and those you care about from the flu. A seasonal flu vaccination is especially recommended for people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, people living or caring for babies six months and younger or people who are unable to be vaccinated because of health reasons, and all health care workers.

Q. Will this be a bad flu season?

A: The flu is unpredictable and every flu season is different. Influenza can affect people differently. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.

Q. When will flu season start?

A: In Oregon, flu season usually doesn’t ramp up until after the New Year, though it has started as early as October in the past. It’s impossible to predict exactly when the season will begin.

Q. What’s in this season’s flu shot?

A: 2011-12 seasonal flu vaccines consist of three likely influenza strains: H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B. These are the same strains that last year’s seasonal flu shot protected against.
It’s generally rare for the same three influenza virus strains to be chosen for the flu vaccine from one season to the next, but this has happened before.

Q. If the flu shot is the same as last year, will I need to get another shot this year?

A: Because immunity declines over the course of a year (especially for the elderly), people who received a seasonal flu immunization last year should get another one this year. Since 1969, the viruses selected for inclusion in the flu vaccine have remained the same eight times (including the 2011-12 season). Each time, CDC has stressed the importance of getting vaccinated each season.

Q. When should I get my flu shot?

A: People should get their flu shot as soon as it becomes available. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza. Flu season begins as early as October and is unpredictable. Immunity will last through the season.

Q. I had an H1N1 shot in 2009. Do I need to get another one?

The CDC says that even though the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 pandemic officially over in August 2010, the H1N1 virus will likely continue to spread for years to come, like a regular seasonal influenza virus. H1N1 is included in this year’s seasonal flu shot, which everyone over age six months needs to get each year.

Q. When will this year’s flu shot be available?

A: Seasonal flu vaccine, which is manufactured by strict federal standards and thoroughly tested before it is offered to the public, began to arrive in Oregon in July and will continue through the end of the year.

Q. I don’t like needles. Is there another way to get a flu shot?

A: There is a nasal spray for healthy people ages 2 through 49 years who are not pregnant. And this year, there is an intradermal influenza vaccine approved for people ages 18-64 that is injected into the skin instead of the muscle. It uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot and requires fewer antigens (the part of vaccine that helps your body build up protection against flu viruses).

Q. Does getting a flu shot guarantee I won’t get the flu?

A: A flu vaccination is not 100 percent effective for everyone, but those few people who still get the flu after immunization have a much greater chance of avoiding complications and hospitalization.

Q. Does my child need two doses of flu vaccine?

A: Most children 6 months through 8 years of age who have never received seasonal flu vaccine will need two doses this season to provide the best protection. Children in this age group who have received only one flu dose in the past may need one or two doses this season depending on when that dose was received. Parents should check with their provider. Children 9 years and older only need one flu dose each season.

Q. What can I do to avoid catching the flu?

A: Prevention is a crucial part of staying healthy during flu season.

• Cover your cough
• Wash your hands
• Stay home when you’re sick
• Get vaccinated

Q. Where can I get more information about flu?

A: Ask your health care provider or visit flu.oregon.gov.

Q. When will flu season end? When do we no longer need to bother getting vaccinated?

A. Seasonal flu usually comes in around December and peaks in February. Until further notice, if your health care provider recommends that you get the vaccine, you should get it. Officials recommend that everyone get the seasonal flu vaccine, which protects against three types of flu, including H1N1.

Q. Is it OK to take aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol or other over-the-counter pain relievers after receiving the vaccine?

A. It's important to be careful with aspirin in this setting -- be sure to avoid using it in kids 18 years old or younger. Tylenol and ibuprofen are safe to use.

Q. How many people need to be sick for it to be considered an outbreak?

A. Normally, at least three people from different households getting sick constitutes an outbreak.

Q. Where can pharmacies and providers get more seasonal flu vaccines?

A. Pharmacies get flu vaccines through their normal distribution channels -- Oregon Public Health is not involved in ordering seasonal vaccine.

Q. How can someone get a vaccine if they are allergic to eggs?

A. People can be tested to see if they have a serious anaphylactic reaction (hives, respiratory distress) to eggs, and if necessary they can undergo a desensitization protocol to get the vaccine. Typically, however, this is not recommended, since they would probably need to do this every year and there is prophylactic medication available if they are exposed (and are in a high-risk category).

Q. Are people living with high-risk people considered high risk?

A. No, with the exception of caretakers of children under 6 months, since kids under 6 months are too young to be vaccinated. Other high-risk people (i.e. those with chronic heart or lung disease) can be vaccinated, so their household contacts are not considered high risk. Persons living with high-risk individuals (individuals that cannot be vaccinated) should themselves be vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection.

Q. What are the components of the flu vaccine?

A. The vaccine contains egg. Your provider can discuss other components which vary between manufacturers.

Q. Does a newborn who will reach 6 months of age later in the flu season need to get a vaccine on that 6-month day?

A. Yes, as soon as possible.

Q. Should kids who got the flu, but aren't sure of what strain, still get a vaccination?

A. Yes. There are no side effects from getting the vaccine if they’ve already had the flu.

Q. Is there a line and/or email contact for those who want to complain about vaccine provider conduct?

A. Each provider probably has its own customer service policy, and the complainant would need to go through that process first. If the complainant is still not satisfied, he or she can call the state immunization program for more information at 971-673-0300.

Q. How sick is too sick to get a flu shot?

A. People with moderate to severe illness and fever over 100 degrees (37.7 degrees Celsius) should wait until fever has subsided before being vaccinated. 

Minor illness with or without fever should not be considered an obstacle to vaccination, particularly among children with mild upper respiratory tract infection or runny nose. 

Vaccine should not be given to anyone allergic to eggs, chicken protein, neomycin or polymyxin, or anyone who's had a life-threatening reaction to a previous influenza vaccination. 

A doctor should be consulted if the person has a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome or other serious neurologic events such as paralysis or seizures within six weeks of a previous influenza vaccination.