Flu jab side effects: Can the flu jab make you sick?
FLU JABS are available every year to help vulnerable people who are at risk of flu and its complications. So does the flu jab have any side effects? Can the flu jab make you sick?
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Thousands of people are routinely given a flu vaccination by the NHS every year. Flu jabs are also available at private pharmacies at a cost.
What is the flu jab?
The flu jab offers some protection against the flu virus.
The flu vaccine is not guaranteed to prevent you getting the flu but the NHS website says the vaccine is “the best protection we have against an unpredictable virus.”
Lloyds Pharmacy say the best time to get the flu vaccine is “from the beginning of October to early November.”
READ MORE: Flu jab symptoms: Can the flu jab give you a cold?
Not everybody needs to have a flu vaccination but the NHS says flu can be more severe in certain groups of people, such as:
- Anyone aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women
- Children and adults with an underlying health condition (such as long-term heart or respiratory disease)
- Children and adults with weakened immune systems
Can the flu jab make you sick?
According to the NHS website, you may get a mild fever and slight muscle aches for a day or so following the flu vaccination.
Some people may have a sore arm following vaccination, for example “if you’re aged 65 or over and having the adjuvanted flu vaccine.”
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The NHS recommend the following to ease the discomfort:
“Continue to move your arm regularly - do not let it get stiff and sore”
“Take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen - pregnant women should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends and prescribes it”
The NHS also warns not to give aspirin to children under 16.
As for allergic reactions to the flu jab, the NHS website states: “It’s rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction to a vaccination.
“If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.
“The person who vaccinates you or your child will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
“With prompt treatment, you or your child will make a good recovery.
“Contact a pharmacist or GP if you experience severe side effects that do not improve over time.”