Developed By: Stephan Foster, Pharm D, Associate Professor, UT College of Pharmacy

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Protect Your Familys Health With Immunizations
Get the Flu ShotNOT the Flu!

• Developed By Stephan Foster, Pharm D, Associate
  Professor, UT College of Pharmacy
• and Barbara (Bobbi) Clarke, PhD,RD, Professor,
  Extension Health Specialist and
• Co-director for The University of Tennessee
  Center for Community-based Health Initiatives,
• UT Extension Service

Updated 12/03
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Why Get the Flu Shot Every Year?

• Highly contagious virus
• 1 out of 5 people (20) get the flu
• Affects respiratory system (nose, throat, lungs)
• Antibiotics are not effective

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How is the Flu Spread?
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Flu Symptoms

• Fever
• Chills
• Headacheand Body Aches

• Dry Cough
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Sore Throat

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Symptoms Can Be Severe!

• Cause extreme fatigue
• Last for several days to weeks
• Lead to bronchitis and pneumonia
• Require hospitalization
• Cause death, especially among the elderly

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What is the Difference Between a Cold and the
Flu?

• Cold symptoms occur from the neck up.
• Flu symptoms affect the total body.

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The Flu Can Be Prevented

• Get the flu shot
• It is safe and effective
• You help those around you by not giving the flu
  to your family, friends, and co-workers
• You decrease time spent away from work due to
  illness

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When Should You Get the Flu Shot?

• A flu shot between September and December will
  protect you from November to April.

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Important Point

• You Do NOT Get The Flu from the Flu Shot!

The viruses in the vaccine are killed.
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Can You Still Get the Flu If You Get the Shot?

• It is possible the flu viruses change often
• If you do get it, it usually is milder
• It takes 2 weeks to develop protection
• You may be exposed before protection develops

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Who Should Get the Flu Shot?

• Persons 50 years of age and older
• Residents of nursing homes or care facilities
• Patients with chronic diseases diabetes, lung
  disease, heart disease, kidney disease, and others

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Who Should Get the Flu Shot?
(continued)

• Patients with suppressed immune systems
• Children between 6 -23 months
• All household contacts of children 0 23 months
  of age
• Out-of-home caregivers of all children younger
  than 24 months of age
• Children on long-term aspirin treatment
• Women who are pregnant during the flu season

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Who Should Get the Flu Shot?
(continued)

• People who may infect high risk populations
• Health care workers
• Volunteers
• Family members
• Other groups in close quarters
• Students and staff at schools and colleges

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Who Should Get the Flu Shot?
(continued)

• Anyone over the age of 6 months who wants to
  decrease their chances of getting the flu!

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Where Can You Get the Flu Shot?

• Doctors Offices
• Clinics
• Health Department
• Pharmacies
• Health Fairs

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Who Should Avoid the Flu Shot?

• Individuals who
• Have had a severe reaction to the flu shot not
  just a sore arm!
• Have an allergy to eggs or previous flu vaccines
• Are moderately or severely ill at the timeOK if
  a mild illness

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Who Should Avoid the Flu Shot?
(continued)

• If you are unsure, ask your physician or
  pharmacist
• New medications are available if you cannot take
  the flu shot

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Should Pregnant Women Get the Flu Shot?

• The flu shot is recommended for women who will be
  beyond the first trimester of pregnancy during
  the influenza season
• Women with medical conditions that increase their
  risk for complications of the flushould be
  vaccinated

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What About the Nasal-spray Flu Vaccine?
Ask your doctor if this vaccine is right for you.
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Protect Your Health
Get the flu shot every Fall!
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• Questions?