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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine?

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, or if you have:

• an active or uncontrolled neurologic disorder (such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or epilepsy);
• a history of seizures;
• a history of Guillian-Barre syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine);
• if you are allergic to eggs.

To make sure you can safely receive this vaccine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;
• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
• a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
• if you are allergic to latex rubber.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

Vaccines may be harmful to an unborn baby and generally should not be given to a pregnant woman. However, not vaccinating the mother could be more harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that this vaccine could prevent. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive this vaccine, especially if you have a high risk of infection with influenza.

It is not known whether influenza virus vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this vaccine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This vaccine should not be given to a child younger than 6 months old.

How is this vaccine given?

Some brands of this vaccine are made for use in adults and not in children. Your child's doctor can recommend the best influenza virus vaccine for your child.

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

You should receive a flu vaccine every year. Your immunity will gradually decrease over the 12 months after you receive the influenza virus vaccine. Children receiving this vaccine may need a booster shot one month after receiving the first vaccine.

The influenza virus vaccine is usually given in October or November. Some people may need to have their vaccines earlier or later. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to give your child.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

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