How Long Does The Flu Vaccine Last?

Flu, medically known as influenza, is a common respiratory disease caused by flu viruses. It can spread from one person to another through different means. Every year, a flu vaccine is prepared to help people avoid the flu during the winter season. The flu season has almost started, and you should get flu vaccine shots to stay safe. Here, an important question can pop up in your mind: how long does the flu vaccine last? Well, the flu vaccine shots typically last for one year. 

Continue reading to know more about the longevity of the flu vaccine.

What are Flu Vaccine Shots?

The influenza vaccine is generally known as the flu shot that provides protection against the four common influenza viruses. There are different types of influenza vaccine products that are recommended for use in the influenza season. Here you should know that the viruses that cause influenza keep changing with the passage of time. Due to this reason, the manufacturers of the flu vaccine try to target the latest viruses that cause flu.

The experts develop flu vaccines every year to protect people from getting flu or influenza. The vaccine is produced in the form of a shot (injection) or a nasal spray. The person interested in having it can visit a reputable clinic or a hospital because not all healthcare facilities offer flu vaccines.

Life of Flu Vaccine Effects

As a matter of fact, the viruses that cause influenza keep changing with the passage of time. Due to this reason, the manufacturers of the flu vaccine try to target the latest viruses that cause flu. The researchers take some viruses and leave some viruses when they prepare the vaccination for the flu.

To be honest, it is not possible to give an exact estimate of the longevity of flu vaccine effects. Why? Because the effects of flu shots start diminishing with time. If a person has been vaccinated at the beginning of the flu season, the effects of the vaccine may become much weaker by the end of the season. On average, the effects of the flu vaccine last for almost one year.

Therefore, a person who gets the vaccine in one flu season will have to retake the vaccination in the next flu season. 

Now let’s move forward to the side effects of the influenza vaccine.

Side Effects of Flu Vaccine

While we are discussing the benefits of a flu vaccine, it is necessary to educate people about the possible side effects as well. After taking the vaccination, some people may get a slight fever or mild muscle pain for one day. If a person has some soreness in the arm due to the flu shot, the following measures can help:

• Keep moving the arm for some time.
• Consider taking a painkiller to feel well.

Please note; that children under 16 should not take aspirin in this situation. The flu vaccine cannot cause flu; instead, it protects the person. Some people may experience flu-like symptoms after taking shots, but it might not be flu. Also, sometimes people have already caught the flu when they take shots, so they may get the flu anyway. Allergic reactions may also appear in rare cases. If it happens, visit your doctor immediately. The minor allergic reaction will be over in no time, and the person will feel good.

The Final Words

If you want to stay protected in this flu season, take the flu vaccine as soon as possible. Consult with a specialist who can help you choose the right flu shot. For this reason, you can visit Euromed Clinic Center. Please book an appointment with us and learn more about flu shots. You can book a consultation session by calling us or filling the short online form.