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Seasonal Flu

Generally, when we talk about flu, we're referring to the annual seasonal flu — a contagious respiratory illness caused by a variety of influenza viruses.

Seasonal flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Complications may include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

If you are a UPMC Health Plan member, click here to download our Flu Shot Reimbursement Form.

Frequently Asked Questions on Seasonal Flu

 

When will the flu vaccine be available?
The seasonal flu vaccine is available now. It is important to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Additional doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine are expected to be available later this fall and throughout winter. Initially, this new vaccine will be targeted to health care workers and high-risk populations, such as pregnant women and children.

Is the flu vaccine only available as a shot?
No. There are 2 kinds of seasonal flu vaccines. One is given as a shot and contains killed influenza virus. The other is given as a nasal spray. The nasal spray is called FluMist®. Only certain people can get FluMist® because it is a live attenuated or weakened virus. Health care workers typically get the flu shot, which contains killed virus. 

Can I get the flu from the flu vaccine?
No, nobody ever gets the flu from the killed virus in the flu vaccine. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses and also does not cause the flu in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

If I get vaccinated, can I transmit flu to someone else?
No.  Getting the flu shot does not pose any risk to those around you, and may actually help decrease the risk to others around you by preventing you from transmitting the flu later. The nasal spray vaccine contains a live attenuated virus. Transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred rarely (0.6% – 2.4%). Because the virus is weakened, infection is unlikely to result in influenza illness symptoms in healthy people. Therefore, people with severely weakened immune systems (for example, people with bone marrow or organ transplants) and those who are in contact with them, should not get FluMist®. People who have contact with others with lesser degrees of immunosuppression (for example, people with diabetes, people with asthma taking corticosteroids, or people infected with HIV) can get FluMist®.

Are there side effects of the seasonal flu vaccine?
One may get mild pain at the injection site, may get a mild and short-lived fever (24 – 48 hours) and also may feel fatigued for approximately 24 hours. However, you cannot get an influenza infection from the killed influenza vaccine. 

Who should get vaccinated against regular seasonal flu?
In general, everyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu should get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high-risk persons. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.

People who should get vaccinated against seasonal flu each year are:

Will the seasonal influenza vaccine also protect me against H1N1?
No, the seasonal influenza vaccine will only offer protection against the more typical strains of influenza.

 


 

 

 

 

 


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