Sep 13, 2017 3 min read

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Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older. The “seasonal flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Older people, young children and people with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for influenza-related complications, which is why there is an annual push to promote flu shots for persons:

• 50 years-of-age or older, residents of long-term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions;

• who have a long-term health problem with heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, metabolic disease such as diabetes, asthma, anemia and other blood disorders;

• who are 6 months to 18 years-of-age on long-term aspirin treatment (who could develop Reye Syndrome if they catch influenza);

• who have weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS or other diseases that affect the immune system, long term treatment with drugs such as steroids, cancer treatment with x rays or drugs;

• who are a pregnant women past the third month of pregnancy during the flu season; and

• who are physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else coming in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza.

Talk with your doctor before getting a flu shot if you ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous dose of influenza vaccine, or if you have a history of Guillain Barré Syndrome.

After you have a flu shot, mild problems may occur such as soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fever, and aches. If you are going to experience problems, they will usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days. Although rare, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. If they do occur, it is within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.

If you or someone you know has a severe reaction, call your doctor or call 911.