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CDC Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Information Statement January 2025

Date

Jan 2025

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Explains that inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccination prevents flu and is recommended each season for everyone aged 6 months and older, with some children needing two doses. It describes eligibility precautions, common and serious reactions, emergency care, and how to report adverse events through VAERS or seek compensation through the VICP.

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VAC C I N E I N F O R M AT I O N STAT E M E N T

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Inactivated or
Recombinant): What you need to know
1. Why get vaccinated?
Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza (flu).
Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the
United States every year, usually between October
and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more
dangerous for some people. Infants and young
children, people 65 years and older, pregnant
women, and people with certain health conditions or
a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of flu
complications.
Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear
infections are examples of flu-related complications.
If you have a medical condition, such as heart
disease, cancer, or diabetes, flu can make it worse.
Flu can cause fever and chills, sore throat, muscle
aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy
nose. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea,
though this is more common in children than adults.

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están
disponibles en español y en muchos otros
idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

Even when the vaccine doesn’t exactly match these
viruses, it may still provide some protection.
Influenza vaccine does not cause flu.
Influenza vaccine may be given at the same time as
other vaccines.

3. Talk with your health
care provider
Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting
the vaccine:
 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous
dose of influenza vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies
 Has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also
called “GBS”)
In some cases, your health care provider may decide
to postpone influenza vaccination until a future visit.

In an average year, thousands of people in the
United States die from flu, and many more are
hospitalized. Flu vaccine prevents millions of
illnesses and flu-related visits to the doctor each year.

Influenza vaccine can be administered at any time
during pregnancy. Women who are or will be
pregnant during influenza season should receive
inactivated influenza vaccine.

2. Influenza vaccines

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be
vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill
should usually wait until they recover before getting
influenza vaccine.

CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older
get vaccinated every flu season. Children 6 months
through 8 years of age may need 2 doses during a
single flu season. Everyone else needs only 1 dose
each flu season.
It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop
after vaccination.



Many vaccine information statements are
available in Spanish and other languages.
See www.immunize.org/vis

There are many flu viruses, and they are always
changing. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to
protect against the influenza viruses believed to be
likely to cause disease in the upcoming flu season.

Your health care provider can give you more
information.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction
 Soreness, redness, and swelling where the shot
is given, fever, muscle aches, and headache can
happen after influenza vaccination.
 There may be a very small increased risk of
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after inactivated
influenza vaccine (the flu shot).
Young children who get the flu shot along with
pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) and/or DTaP
vaccine at the same time might be slightly more
likely to have a seizure caused by fever. Tell your
health care provider if a child who is getting flu
vaccine has ever had a seizure.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures,
including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel
dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance
of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other
serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious problem?
An allergic reaction could occur after the
vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs
of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the
face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat,
dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person
to the nearest hospital.

6. The National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
(VICP) is a federal program that was created to
compensate people who may have been injured by
certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or
death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing,
which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP
website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or
call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and
about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?
 Ask your health care provider.
 Call your local or state health department.
 Visit the website of the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for vaccine package
inserts and additional information at
www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.
 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC):
- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
- Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/flu.

For other signs that concern you, call your health
care provider.





Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your
health care provider will usually file this report,
or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website
at www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting
reactions, and VAERS staff members do
not give medical advice.

Vaccine Information Statement

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

Inactivated Influenza Vaccine

1/31/2025

OFFICE
USE
ONLY