Flu Vaccine Side Effects Flu shots side effects (if any) tend to be mild, and if you develop flu-like symptoms, its effects are expected to be weaker than getting the 'live' version of the virus. Some reactions to the flu vaccine may include:
Reactions to the flu shot should clear up by themselves within two to three days.
Severe influenza vaccine side effects such as anaphylaxis is a rare occurrence. The main allergen causing such reactions is eggs.
The current influenza egg/based vaccines distributed in Australia and New Zealand are derived from influenza virus and grown in hen's egg. Once purified, the amount of residual egg ovalbumin present in each vaccine dose is usually less than one microgram.
According to www.allergy.org.au, it is estimated that you need at least 130 micrograms of egg protein to trigger reactions in people with egg allergies.
The nurses at Corporate Care will walk you through a full consultation process before administering the shot to ensure utmost safety.
Like any other medication, someone may have a severe allergic reaction to a component in the vaccine. We recommend seeking immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following signs following the administration of the influenza vaccination.
You must stay near the person that administered the flu shot for at least 15 minutes in case you develop any flu shot symptoms. This is what we call "observation time"
All our immunisation nurses carry an emergency kit and are well prepared to administer adrenaline should a severe reaction (anaphylactic reaction) to the flu vaccine occur
It's not uncommon to develop sore arm after getting the flu shot. We often recommend our customers to move their arm in circular motion regularly, so the vaccine isn't quite concentrated in one place.
Over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol may help reduce the pain from a flu shot sore arm. If the pain persists for more than two days, it's best to speak with your local GP or pharmacist to ensure you are not experiencing an Adverse Event Following Influenza Administration (AEFI).
Also, some may experience fever after a flu jab which is considered a physical response. Some recommendations to recover from this fever include drinking enough fluids, rest, keep yourself cool. If the fever persists for more than two days, it's time to schedule an appointment with your GP. If you are concerned at all, you can always Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
In emergencies, you must immediately call triple 000 and follow their advice.
Generally speaking, flu vaccinations are safe and do not lead to serious side effects. In rare cases, it may cause an allergic reaction. While these reactions can be life-threatening, the Immunisation Nursing team at Corporate Care have emergency protocols in place to deal with such situations.
Millions of Australians get flu jabs every year and do not experience any complications at all.
Flu shots do not give you the flu. The virus in a vaccine is inactivated, meaning they do not contain the 'live' virus, rendering the flu vaccine safe. Therefore, an individual getting the flu from a jab is not possible. However, there can still be mild after flu shot symptoms, which should go away after a few days.
Once you receive the flu shot, it takes around two weeks to generate enough antibodies to fight off the flu strains found in the vaccine administered (Type A and Type B strains).
This immune response may cause mild flu-like symptoms that can often be alleviated with over the counter Paracetamol or Ibuprofen (Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice before taking any medication. Check the label for the correct dose - especially when giving medications to children. Please ensure you also read the Product and Consumer Medicine Information).
There's no reason to avoid getting the flu shot because you think it'll make you sick. We strongly recommend speaking with a healthcare professional to answer any of your concerns or question about the flu.
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Flu shots will not cure existing flu in ill individuals. By nature, vaccines are preventive and work by shielding you from future infections. Individuals who have already been infected can still get sick from it.
Although you can get the shot if you have a mild illness, we recommend that people who have a fever or a moderate or severe illness should delay getting their flu jab. Your immune system may not be able to generate enough antibodies to fend off against a future viral invasion.
If you are poorly and you don't know whether you can have your flu jab, we recommend you speak with your doctor or your local pharmacists.
For minor illnesses such as colds and similar conditions, it's generally okay to get the flu shot. The healthcare professional going through the flu consent before administering the vaccine would be able to advise further and provide a recommendation.
