Who should get the flu vaccine? Who should not?

Who should get the flu vaccine?

 All persons over 6 months of age who live, work or attend school in Ontario are eligible to receive the publicly-funded influenza vaccine through the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP).

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Who should not get the flu vaccine?

• Infants under six months of age (the current vaccine is not recommended for this age group).
• Anyone who has a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine. Your health care provider can tell you which components are in the specific vaccine. Some vaccines contain small quantities of antibiotics or preservatives.
• While egg is used in the manufacturing process for flu vaccine, egg allergic people may be vaccinated.
  Those with a serious allergy (anaphylaxis) to eggs or egg products should discuss receiving flu vaccine with their health care provider.  A serious allergic reaction means that the person develops hives, swelling of the mouth & throat, trouble breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, or shock after eating eggs or egg products.
• Anyone who had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of the influenza vaccine.
• It is not known whether the influenza vaccine causes an increased risk of recurrent Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in persons who previously had GBS. As a precaution, anyone who developed GBS within 8 weeks of a previous influenza immunization should avoid influenza immunization in the future.
• Anyone with an acute illness and/or fever should delay immunization until they are feeling better. Those who have just started antibiotics for an acute illness should delay immunization until they have been treated for 48 hours and are feeling better.  People with a minor illness (i.e. a cold) should be immunized.
• Immunization should generally be delayed in individuals with an evolving neurological disorder, until their condition has been stabilized.

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It is also important to note:

• Immunization should be delayed if you have an active neurologic disorder, but should be considered when stable.
• Some illnesses and/or medications may affect your response to the flu vaccine. Always consult with your health care provider.
• People who are very ill with a fever at the time that the shot is to be given should wait until they get better before getting the influenza vaccine.
• During the 2000-2001 season, a small number of people who received influenza vaccine developed a side effect called Oculorespiratory Syndrome (ORS). ORS is described as the onset of red eyes and/or respiratory symptoms (cough, wheeze, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or sore throat) and/or swelling of the face occurring within 24 hours of influenza immunization.  Since 2000-2001, fewer cases of ORS have been reported. Persons who experienced ORS symptoms in the past may safely be re-immunized with influenza vaccine except for those who have experienced ORS with severe lower respiratory symptoms (wheeze, chest tightness, difficulty breathing) within 24 hours of influenza immunization. These individuals should seek expert medical advice before being immunized again with the influenza vaccine.

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