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Flu Vaccine Tip Sheet

Flu season is here. Get seasonal flu vaccine facts with this timely tip sheet.

By Wendy C. Fries
WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Wondering how you can protect yourself from seasonal flu? Or just weighing the pros and cons of the seasonal flu vaccine? Here are some of the fast facts about flu prevention that you've been looking for.

Influenza causes more than 200,000 people in the U.S. to be hospitalized every year. About 36,000 die from flu-related causes. Prevention is key.
Though experts suggest getting the seasonal flu vaccine by the Thanksgiving holidays -- holidays equal hugs, kisses, and close contact, after all -- getting vaccinated makes sense any time during flu season, which may last from October to May.
Allergic to eggs? Then flu vaccines -- which are cultivated inside chicken eggs - may not be safe for you. Talk to your doctor to be sure.
Think the flu vaccine can give you the flu? It can't. The vaccine is made with a killed (flu shot) or weakened form of the flu virus (nasal flu vaccine), which can't give you influenza. The nasal flu vaccine has caused transfer of the virus to others, but the risk of this happening is extremely low.
Concern that there's a link between autism and the vaccine preservative thimerosal has prevented some parents from getting their kids vaccinated. Worry no more. Studies have found that there is no link between vaccines containing thimerosal and autism. And if you’re still worried, thimerosal-free flu vaccines are now the standard for children in the U.S. -- and available to adults for the asking.
Stuck on the fact that you need to get vaccinated every year? There's a good reason. Flu viruses change, so flu vaccines must change, too. Each year's vaccine is unique, cultivated from the flu strains health officials believe will be most menacing that year.