Possible Side Effects of Flu Vaccine

During the procedure, parts of the virus which are not essential for the vaccine are removed. This reduces the possibility of side effects. It contains NO live virus.

Occasionally people suffer side effects with the flu vaccine. The most common of these are fever, feeling unwell, shivering, tiredness, headache, sweating, muscle and joint pain.

Skin reactions include redness, mild swelling, pain, ecchymosis (blue/black staining of the skin). These are usually mild and will disappear in a day or two.

Further Information

Like any flu vaccine, it causes the body to produce antibodies against the virus. This means that when your body is exposed to live virus, the body is able to defend itself. The antibodies neutralise the attacking virus.

You cannot catch flu from the vaccine as it only contains pieces of the virus and not any live virus.

Your body takes 10-21 days to produce antibodies after vaccination. The incubation period for flu is a few days, so if you are exposed to flu immediately before or after your vaccination, you could still develop the illness. The 3 main strains of flu virus are covered within the vaccine this year, but it is possible another strain could cause you to get flu.

Flu viruses change all the time, so different vaccines are made each year. To stay protected, you need revaccinated every year before the winter season.

After receiving the vaccine you are asked to wait in the clinic for 15 minutes to ensure you have no adverse reactions. If you do have any severe reaction contact your doctor immediately.

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