Q&A: What Are The Risks Of Getting A Flu Shot?

Q: What are the risks of getting a flu shot? – D. Phillips

A: The first thing to know is that the flu shot is a dead virus so it does not cause you to get the flu. The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm or death is extremely small. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, may rarely cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. Almost all people who get influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. If you have an egg allergy you are allergic to the flu shot.

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Here are some of the side effects from receiving the flu shot:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Fever (low grade)
• Aches

The intradermal flu shot may cause other additional mild side effects including:

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• Toughness and itching where the shot was given

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last one to two days.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.