Flu vaccine safety fact check: True
Question asked:
“The flu vaccine is safe”
Summary
The seasonal influenza vaccine is considered safe for the vast majority of people aged 6 months and older, with extensive monitoring showing no significant increase in serious adverse events. Health authorities such as the CDC and FDA affirm its safety profile based on years of data.
Sources 59 searched
- Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
For people 65 years and older, there are three flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended. Influenza (flu) is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death.
- Clinical Guidance for Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Safety | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS), a serious neurological condition that can cause paralysis occurs rarely following influenza vaccination. The cause of GBS is unknown. GBS is also associated with some gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections. Safety monitoring of seasonal IIVs over the course of many years has not detected an increased risk of GBS in most seasons.
- Clinical Considerations for Influenza Vaccination | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
Studies support the safety of annual influenza vaccination in children and adults.
- Flu Vaccine—Too Much of a Good Thing? - PMC
However, it was suggested several years ago that the effect may depend on the antigenic relatedness of the previous vaccine to the current vaccine, and of both to the circulating virus, referred to as the antigenic distance hypothesis (ADH) [4]. According to the ADH, the biggest negative effect would be predicted to occur when the previous and current vaccines are antigenically similar, and the circulating virus is significantly drifted.
- Understanding the Barriers and Attitudes toward Influenza ...
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- Frequently Asked Questions about Flu Vaccines | Baltimore City
The flu vaccine is safe for most people and is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.
- Influenza Virus Vaccine Safety & Availability | FDA
Influenza vaccine can be given to most individuals 6 months of age and older to protect against influenza.
- Immunization Safety Review: Influenza Vaccines and ... - NCBI
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