An annual flu shot can help prevent the flu or minimize symptoms. Learn about common side effects, when to seek help, and how to support your body afterward.
Getting an annual flu shot is one of the best ways to avoid getting the flu or to shorten the duration of your symptoms if you do get the flu.
Read on to learn more about what to avoid after getting your flu shot to help maximize the vaccine’s effectiveness and minimize potential side effects.
In most cases, there is nothing you’ll need to avoid after getting your annual flu shot. You can maintain your typical activities and diet.
A healthcare professional may recommend that you avoid some activities immediately afterward and for a few days after your flu shot. Taking certain precautions may help minimize side effects and ensure that you get the most out of the vaccine.
Activities
Some people think you should not engage in strenuous activities or exercise after getting a flu shot. But a 2022 study suggests that exercising (if you are fit and already exercise) may actually boost the effects of a flu shot, making it more effective.
At the very least, there is nothing to suggest that physical activity after a flu vaccination causes any harm.
Medications
You may want to avoid certain medications after getting a flu shot. Some medications might also affect the type of flu vaccine you get.
Don’t stop taking any medications your doctor has prescribed. Before getting a flu vaccine, talk with your doctor if you have concerns about the medications you take.
You might want to discuss the following medications:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: Some experts suggest avoiding OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) after a flu shot because they may reduce your body’s immune response and lessen the effectiveness of vaccines. However, more research is needed.
- Corticosteroid injection: A 2018 study suggests that receiving these injections before your flu shot may increase your risk of getting the flu if you’re exposed to it. The researchers suggest getting a high dose flu vaccine if you’re being treated with corticosteroid shots.
- Chemotherapy: You may need to
avoid live flu vaccines during chemotherapy treatment.
Foods and drinks
There are no food restrictions after a flu shot. You can eat what you would typically eat. But you might want to avoid drinking alcohol for a day or two so that you don’t become dehydrated.
Potential flu exposure
Since a flu shot can take up to 2 weeks to be effective, it’s a good idea to avoid close contact with anyone who you know has the flu.
Who should NOT get a live virus flu vaccine (nasal spray)?
According to
- people who have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of the flu vaccine (except for egg protein) or to a previous flu vaccine of any type
- anyone who has taken flu antiviral drugs within a drug-specific amount of time (within the past 48 hours for oseltamivir and zanamivir, within the past 5 days for peramivir, and within the past 17 days for baloxavir)
- people who are pregnant
- children younger than 2 years old
- adults 50 years old and older
- children 2 through 17 years old who are taking medications that contain aspirin or salicylate
- children 2 through 4 years old who have asthma or a history of wheezing in the past 12 months
- anyone who has a weakened immune system (immunosuppression) for any reason
- anyone who cares for severely immunocompromised people who need a protected environment (if a caregiver does receive the vaccine, they will need to avoid contact with immunocompromised people for 7 days afterward)
- anyone who does not have a spleen or has a non-functioning spleen
- anyone who has an active cerebrospinal fluid leak into their mouth, nose, ear, or elsewhere within their skull
- people who have cochlear implants
People who may want to avoid the nasal spray flu vaccine (live virus) include those who:
- are over 5 years old and have asthma
- have underlying medical conditions such as the following, which may increase their risk of serious flu complications:
- lung disease
- heart disease (except isolated hypertension)
- kidney or liver disorders
- neurologic/neuromuscular disorders
- metabolic disorders (such as diabetes)
- currently have any moderate or severe acute illness, with or without fever
- have or had Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks after a previous dose of flu vaccine
Depending on how you feel after your flu shot, you may want to do the following:
- Move your arm more immediately after your flu shot. Some people report that this helps reduce the soreness.
- Hold something cold, such as a cold compress or cool drink can, against the area where you got your injection to help prevent arm pain.
- Rest if you feel tired or feel like you might have a fever.
- Take an OTC pain reliever if necessary.
- Look out for any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching, hives, or swelling. If you have difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical care and avoid being alone if possible.
Any side effects from a flu shot are usually mild and go away within 1 or 2 days after your vaccination.
While you can contract the flu at any time, flu season typically occurs in fall and winter and generally peaks in the Western Hemisphere
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Many healthcare facilities, such as doctors’ offices, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies (including national grocery store chains that have pharmacies), will file insurance or Medicare claims for flu shots, so your flu shot could cost you nothing out of pocket.
If you don’t have insurance, local health departments may offer free or low cost flu vaccines. Students may be able to get free or low cost flu shots at their campus health clinics.
Yes, you need a flu shot every year. Your immunity to the flu virus decreases over time, and the flu virus also changes slightly over time. Every year, scientists study the specific variants of the flu virus that have been found in the world and change the annual flu vaccine to best protect you from them.
All flu vaccines in the United States are considered very safe. They do not contain the active influenza virus and cannot cause the flu. There are two main types of flu vaccines: injectables and nasal sprays. Injectable flu vaccines do not contain live flu viruses.
Nasal spray flu vaccines contain an attenuated (weakened) form of the live flu virus that has been altered so that it cannot cause the flu. Both vaccine forms trigger an immune response in your body that causes antibodies to form. These antibodies allow your body to fight the virus if you are exposed to influenza.
Some people should not get a flu vaccine, including those who:
- are younger than 6 months old
- have had a severe, life threatening reaction to a previous flu vaccine
- have severe allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (such as gelatin and antibiotics)
No. Your flu vaccine is effective after about 2 weeks. It takes around 14 days for your body to build up antibodies against influenza viruses. That’s why health organizations recommend getting your flu vaccine in early fall, before flu infections peak.
Most people have no side effects or only very mild side effects after a flu vaccine. You can take some steps to help prevent effects such as arm soreness and headache. If you do experience symptoms after getting your flu vaccine, there are also steps you can take to feel better.
For most people, any discomfort after a flu shot will resolve in 1 or 2 days.
Though this is rare, some people may be allergic to ingredients in a flu vaccine. Seek medical care immediately if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling, or trouble breathing.