Asthma Health Center

Asthma and Flu

What Types of Flu Vaccines Are Available?

Two types of flu vaccine exist, a shot and a nasal spray.

Flu shots don't contain a live virus and cannot cause the flu. The nasal flu vaccine, called FluMist, contains weakened viruses, and, in rare instances, can cause flu. People with asthma should receive the flu shot vaccine, not FluMist. The nasal flu vaccine is recommended only for healthy individuals 2 to 49 years of age who have no chronic medical problems and are not pregnant.

How Do Flu Vaccines Work in People With Asthma?

Flu vaccines work the same way for everyone, including those with asthma. They cause antibodies to develop in your body. These antibodies provide protection against infection from the flu. This antibody reaction may cause fatigue and muscle aches in some people.

Each year, the flu vaccine contains several different kinds of flu viruses. The strains chosen are the ones that researchers think are most likely to show up that year. If the choice is right, the flu vaccine is about 60% to 70% effective in preventing the flu. However, the vaccine is less effective in older people and those with a weakened immune system.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated each year against the flu. There are several groups in whom the flu vaccine is particularly important. These people are either at a higher risk for complications from the flu themselves, or are around people who are at high risk for flu complications. These include:

• Women who are pregnant
• Children under the age of 5 -- especially those under 2 years old
• Adults 50 years of age and older
• Adults and children with chronic health conditions including asthma
• Caregivers to those at risk for flu-related complications including health care workers and caregivers to very young children
• Older people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

When Should People With Asthma Get the Flu Vaccine?

Flu season may begin as early as October and run through May. If you have asthma, the best time to get a flu vaccine is October or November, but getting vaccinated in December or later still can be beneficial. It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to become fully effective in preventing the flu.

Where Do You Get the Flu Vaccine?

The American Lung Association (ALA) offers an electronic flu vaccine clinic locator. Visit www.flucliniclocator.org, enter a zip code and a date (or dates), and receive information about clinics scheduled in your area.

If you or your loved one has asthma, talk to your doctor about getting a flu vaccine.