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50-64s – Influenza Vaccination Information
If you have not had a flu vaccination before, please read the following information. (This information also applies to those aged 18-64 in an at risk group).
- Are you allergic to eggs?? The vaccine is based on an egg protein – Egg free vaccines are not available until the end of November.
- The Flu vaccine does not guarantee that you will not get Flu – but it should limit the effects if you do contract seasonal Influenza.
- The protective effects last approximately 9 months to 1 year. The vaccine needs to be given each year as the virus strains prevalent vary from year to year.
- The vaccine is inactivated which means the virus within it is ‘killed’ therefore it is not possible to get Flu from the vaccine.
- You may experience ‘Flu like’ symptoms afterwards as you would after any vaccination – this is your body’s response to building up your antibodies.
- Your antibodies take 7-10 days to build up and be effective. If you do get the Flu during this time it means that you are already harbouring the virus before receiving the vaccine.
- Any side effects usually subside 24-48 hours after the vaccination – they usually include soreness and swelling at the vaccination site, general malaise and mild ‘Flu like’ symptoms. These can be treated with a cold compress or Paracetamol if required.
For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/