Safety of Seasonal Flu Vaccine

The yearly flu jab is an important tool for the elderly and people suffering from chronic diseases. A flu infection can mean serious complications for these people, which is why preventative measures like the flu vaccine can be extremely important.

Is the seasonal jab safe?

The seasonal jab is composed of three viral strains, all inactivated so that when the vaccine is administered, only dead virus is administered. This particular type of vaccination is known for its safety because no live virus is delivered into the body. This means that there is no risk of you catching the flu if you receive this vaccine.

What are the side effects of the seasonal flu vaccine?

The seasonal vaccine is usually very well tolerated, and very rarely causes any side effects. The most common of these however, are a slight fever and muscle aches that both clear up within a few days.

Allergic reactions to the flu are extremely rare, however there have been cases in the past. Most allergies are fairly mild, however in some cases a person may experience severe anaphylaxis, which is a serious allergic reaction causing respiratory problems and collapse. Anaphylaxis is very, very rare however, and medical staff are prepared to quickly administer the necessary treatment if it does occur.

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