Is the Flu Vaccine a Live Virus?

Is the flu vaccine a live virus? How does the flu shot work? Do I need a flu shot every year? If you have questions about the influenza vaccine, we’re here to clear the air. In this article, we’ll discuss how the flu shot works and tips to help you stay healthy through flu season.

If you think you have the flu, visit an urgent care center near you for flu testing and treatment. Visit a Centra Care a walk-in clinic for high-quality urgent care.

Types of Flu Vaccines

There are two types of flu vaccines — inactivated vaccines and live attenuated vaccines. The difference comes down to how they are administered and what kind of viral material is present in the vaccine formula. But, is the flu vaccine a live virus – it depends on which one you get.

Flu Shot

Inactivated flu vaccines contain “dead” strains of the flu virus. They’re unable to cause an infection because they no longer function as active viruses. The genetic material in these strains exposes your immune system to the virus to strengthen its response during later exposures.

So, is the flu vaccine a live virus in a flu shot? No.

Flu Nasal Spray

Is the flu vaccine a live virus when you choose the nasal spray?

Yes! Live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV) are administered as a nasal spray. They contain weakened flu strains that are incapable of causing illness. LAIVs may provoke a stronger immune response, further boosting your immunity against flu infections in the future.

The flu nasal spray vaccine is only suitable for people ages 2 to 49 years who are not pregnant and have no underlying medical issues.

How Does a Flu Shot Prevent the Flu?

You’ve likely heard of the importance of getting your flu shot, but do you know what makes immunization so important? How does the flu shot work? Is the flu vaccine a live virus? We’re here to answer your most pressing flu questions.

What Does the Flu Shot Do for You?

Flu vaccines are designed to prevent flu infections and their severe health complications. If you’re vaccinated, you can still get the flu, but your chances of contracting it are much lower. The annual flu shot also prevents hospitalizations and deaths from the virus.

The goal of any vaccine is to introduce your immune system to the pathogen in question. Flu shots do this in a few different ways.

How Does the Flu Vaccine Work?

Flu shots work by introducing inactivated or weakened forms of the influenza virus, or pieces of the virus like proteins, into your body. This exposure prompts your immune system to recognize the virus and produce antibodies, preparing it to fight off the actual virus if you are exposed during the flu season.

New flu vaccines are developed every year to fight the type of influenza spreading during that flu season. Both types of flu vaccines (inactivated or LAIV) work to build your immunity to the flu without causing illness. You can’t get infected with the flu from a flu shot.

Flu viruses contain particles called antigens that trigger your immune system to defend your body. Your immune system then releases antibodies to neutralize the threat.

Since flu vaccines contain dead or weakened versions of the flu virus, your immune system can recognize the threat without getting sick. It stores this information for later and uses it to fight against live flu viruses.

Is the Flu Vaccine a Live Virus?

Misconceptions about live and inactivated vaccines might make you feel uneasy about getting your annual flu shot. However, both inactivated flu shots and LAIVs are safe to use for most people and work to protect your health.

To further answer the question, “Is the flu vaccine a live virus,” we’ll need to dispel some of the myths surrounding flu shots.

Inactivated Vaccines Aren’t Live

Inactivated flu shots aren’t made with live viral strains. Vaccines with inactivated influenza strains are the most common flu shots people get every year. They’re injected into your muscle tissue to circulate the virus’s genetic material throughout your body.

LAIVs Use Weak Forms of Live Viral Strains

The LAIVs administered through nasal sprays are made with weakened live virus strains, so technically, they’re live vaccines. However, the strains in the formula are too weak to cause a flu infection, so they will not harm your health in most cases.

Women who are pregnant or those with weakened immune systems should not choose the flu nasal spray vaccine.

Flu Shots Are Made With Safety In Mind

The flu shot preparation process is extremely strict and ensures your safety. For a vaccine to be approved, it has to go through extensive testing and approval.

Viral strains that go into flu vaccines are grown in eggs so they can mature. Once the viruses are mature enough (usually after six months of growth), they’re either inactivated or attenuated (weakened), depending on the vaccine type.

During production, scientists add chemicals that “purify” the vaccine formula to avoid any contamination from harmful substances. When you get a flu shot, you aren’t receiving anything that can hurt you.

Scientists add three or four influenza strains to the vaccine mixture to protect you from several flu types at once. Then, the vaccines undergo extensive testing and quality control procedures to ensure their safety, quality and effectiveness.

Once the new flu vaccine formula is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the flu shot is shipped to pharmacies and medical offices throughout the country. Each finished product has been thoroughly examined for safety and quality by this point; you can trust that your flu shot won’t harm you.

Why You Need a Flu Shot Every Year

You might be wondering why you need a new flu shot every single year to stay healthy. Why doesn’t the vaccine work for longer periods?

Getting your yearly flu shot is the best practice to prevent flu infections and complications. All major health entities — both in the U.S. and worldwide — recommend annual flu vaccination. Here’s why.

Protect Against the Latest Influenza Strains

Influenza strains go through genetic mutations (changes) very quickly. This is bad news for humans since it means different flu strains circulate every year. That makes annual vaccination extremely important. The strains in one year’s vaccine formula have probably mutated by the following flu season.

Most flu shots contain multiple influenza strains to combat this problem. Experts predict which strains will circulate in a given year. Vaccine manufacturers use those predicted strains to formulate that year’s flu shots. The result is more comprehensive flu protection when you get vaccinated.

Boost Your Immunity

Your immune system benefits from booster shots to strengthen its defenses against viruses like the flu. Getting vaccinated every year ensures your system is freshly prepared to fight off the flu virus. As influenza continues to evolve, your immune system will need “refreshers” to keep up, so yearly vaccination is key.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?

Almost everyone should get a yearly flu shot. The very few exceptions are usually reserved for people with rare health problems. Any person aged six months or older can benefit from annual flu vaccination.

Some groups are especially vulnerable to flu-related complications and should prioritize annual flu vaccination. These groups include high-risk populations like pregnant women, older adults and anyone at high risk of developing serious health problems from the flu. The vaccine will protect you from the worst symptoms this virus causes.

If you’re a part of a vulnerable demographic or have concerns about the new flu vaccine, talk to your doctor. Typically, those who should get a flu shot every year include:

• Elderly individuals (65 years and older)
• Young children (especially those under 5 years old)
• Pregnant women
• Individuals with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Healthcare workers and caregivers
• Individuals with weakened immune systems
• People living with or caring for high-risk individuals

Stay Up-to-Date: Visit Centra Care Urgent Care for Your Yearly Flu Shot

So, is the flu vaccine a live virus? In the flu nasal spray, yes. Regardless of the type of flu vaccine you choose, flu vaccination is essential for protecting you and others from serious health problems related to flu infections.

The majority of the population should get an annual flu shot. Stay informed about new flu strains and vaccines that are available each year by reviewing our flu resources hub or making an appointment for your annual flu shot.

If you’re ready to take your health into your own hands this season, we’re here for you at Centra Care Urgent Care. We offer walk-in visits and online reservations for flu testing, vaccination and treatments. Ready to get your flu shot? Reserve your spot in line today!