Flu Shot Precautions

The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine given to individuals six months old or older. You can also receive the flu vaccine as a nasal spray called LAIV (live attenuated influenza vaccine). This vaccine uses weakened live flu viruses and works for people between the ages of two and forty-nine. Pregnant women should not use LAIV, and other situations may arise where you may wish to avoid flu shots.

Egg Allergy

• The flu vaccine develops in chicken eggs. Since some remnants of the medium may appear in the vaccine, anyone suspecting allergy to chicken eggs should tell their doctor before receiving a flu shot. If the tests come back negative, take the vaccine, but stay under the supervision of your doctor for at least a half an hour. If the tests come back positive, the doctor may give you the vaccine in divided doses spread over an hour or thereabouts.

Life Threatening Reactions From Earlier Vaccinations

• People who have had a life-threatening reaction previously to the vaccine should avoid the flu shot. Verify the formulation of the vaccine by reading the manufacturer's insert which comes with the vaccine. Some formulations of the flu vaccine contain thimerosal. People allergic to thimerosal should not get the flu shot. Furthermore, people who have a previous history of Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) need to avoid influenza vaccination if they do not appear in the high risk group.

Recent Antiviral Therapy

• You need to observe a gap of at least two days after stopping antiviral therapy for influenza and taking the flu shot. After receiving the flu shot, do not take antiviral medicines for influenza for at least two weeks.

Precautions for Taking LAIV

• People with the following conditions should not take LAIV: people with a history of GBS, chronic cardiovascular disorders and HIV infection (symptomatic or asymptomatic). In addition, people who have suffered chronic diseases of the pulmonary system, diabetics, people with rental dysfunction and other metabolic diseases should avoid LAIV. Pregnant woman and adolescents taking aspirin or salicylate should also refrain from taking LAIV.