Some older adults may have weaker immune systems, which can put them at a higher risk of developing severe complications from flu. The risk is related to changes in immune defenses that happen as we age. While flu seasons may vary in severity, people 65 years and better bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. It’s estimated that between 70 and 85% of seasonal
flu-related deaths occur in seniors. Similarly, between 50 and 70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in this age group. Luckily, with advancements in medicine, seniors now have access to a high-dose vaccine that can help protect them from the flu each season. Flu vaccines are updated to keep up with the changing viruses every season. Also, immunity can decrease over time. For these reasons, it's
important to get an annual flu vaccine to ensure you get the best possible protection against the flu. While the traditional flu vaccine is helpful, research has shown that it may not be as effective in seniors as previously believed. Luckily, there are a few different options to choose from that work well for this age group. People 65 years and older will benefit from getting a flu shot, but they should never get a nasal spray vaccine. There are two vaccines
designed specifically for this group: High Dose Flu Vaccine. One new vaccine is called Fluzone High-Dose. The new vaccine has four times as much antigen as regular flu vaccines. Antigen is the material that controls how your body recognizes and defends itself against viruses. In tests, it proved to be about 24% more effective than other vaccines for
seniors. Adjuvanted Flu Vaccine. Also known as Fluad, this flu vaccine is made with an additive that creates a stronger immune response. In medical trials, seniors who took Fluad had significantly better immune responses than those who received the traditional flu shot. When you're sick with the flu, you may experience one or a combination of symptoms like
fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may also experience vomiting and diarrhea. People infected with the flu may have respiratory
symptoms without a fever. People experiencing these emergency warning signs of the flu should seek medical care right away: When considering
treatment for the flu, it’s helpful to keep these considerations in mind:
Side Effects of Flu Vaccine for SeniorsSeniors who receive a high-dose flu shot are more likely to develop side effects the week after receiving the vaccine. These could include pain, headache, muscle ache, tiredness, and redness or swelling at the injection site. These symptoms typically resolve within 1 to 3 days. Tips for the Flu Vaccine for SeniorsDoctors recommend that seniors 65 years or older should also get regular pneumococcal vaccination, which can help protect against diseases like pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections: Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious flu-related complication that can cause death. You can ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine when you get a flu vaccine. You can also protect yourself from the flu by:
Friendly reminder: It’s time to get your annual flu vaccine if you haven’t already. Flu season is already ramping up, and experts are expecting an especially rough fall and winter, so getting your shot before the end of October is pretty darn important. There are plenty of precautions that can help protect you from the flu—washing your hands frequently and masking up, to name a couple—but the vaccine is a tool that should top your list. Like any vaccine though, the flu shot does come with potential side effects—and this is usually a good thing. It’s a strong sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and building up those all-important, infection-fighting antibodies, as SELF previously reported. But how long do flu shot side effects last? Here’s what you should know so you can plan ahead, just in case you do end up feeling a bit crummy after your appointment. How long do flu shot side effects last for most people?First it’s important to note that everyone reacts differently post-vaccine. Some people get the flu shot and feel totally fine, while others may feel a bit unwell. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common side effects that can occur include soreness, inflammation, or swelling in the arm or around the injection site; low-grade headache; fever; nausea; muscles aches; fatigue; and fainting (especially if needles tend to freak you out). “Most people get pain at the injection site and a sore arm,” John Sellick, DO, infectious disease expert and epidemiological researcher at the University at Buffalo/SUNY in New York, tells SELF. “It’s typical of what we see with most other vaccines.” Thankfully these symptoms are usually mild and go away on their own. The duration “varies from person to person” but, in general, side effects from the flu vaccine “usually last about a day”—again, if you have them at all, infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells SELF. How to feel a bit better when side effects strikeAgain, any discomfort post-vaccine should be pretty short-lived, Dr. Adalja says. But if you’re not feeling great, there are a few things you can do to try to speed up your recovery time:
When should you talk to a doctor about potential flu shot side effects?Some people may have an allergic reaction to a component in the flu vaccine, like egg protein, but this is fairly rare. If you do have an allergic reaction, it usually happens within a few minutes to a few hours after you get the shot, the CDC says, so you’ll know pretty quickly; those who are allergic can potentially experience trouble breathing, wheezing, hives, weakness, a rapid heartbeat, and/or dizziness. You should always let your health care provider or pharmacist know in advance if you have a history of allergies or severe reactions to any vaccines, so you can talk through your options with that in mind. And, you probably already know this, but it never hurts to mention it again: The flu shot does not actually give you the flu—even if it kinda feels like it for a day. “It’s absolutely medically impossible to get the flu from the flu vaccine,” Dr. Schaffner stresses. If you suddenly start experiencing respiratory symptoms after you get your vaccine—like coughing, sneezing, or a sore throat—Dr. Sellick says that’s a sign you probably caught something before your appointment. It’s totally possible to come down with a cold, the flu, or even COVID before you get vaccinated, and then coincidentally develop symptoms of that illness shortly after you get your jab. “Some people may get their flu shot on Monday and start to have a runny nose or sore throat on Tuesday,” Dr. Schaffner explains. That usually “means you picked up a virus from somewhere else.” Related:
What is the difference between regular flu shot and senior flu shot?Some high-dose flu vaccines include 3 to 4 times as much flu virus antigen — the part of the vaccine that stimulates the immune system — as standard flu vaccines. One flu vaccine recommended for older adults has the same amount of antigen as the standard dose vaccine.
What is different about the over 65 flu shot?This year, the Adjuvanted Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (aQIV) is being offered to people aged 65 or over. This vaccine contains a substance, known as an adjuvant, to help to stimulate the immune system and create a better response.
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Side effects of a senior flu shot
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