Flu Vaccine FAQs

General information on seasonal flu vaccine

Who should get a flu shot? 

Who should NOT get a flu shot?

Where to get a flu shot 

 General information on seasonal flu vaccine

There are two types of seasonal influenza vaccine:

• Trivalent Inactivated Virus (TIV) vaccine, the "traditional" flu shot
• Trivalent Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), the nasal-spray flu vaccine is approved for use only in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant

This year's seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that are expected to be circulating this season.  This includes the 2009 (H1N1) strain also commonly referred to as "swine flu."  The other two strains that this year's vaccine protects against include an H3N2 strain and an influenza B strain.

Who should get a flu shot?

The CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends that all individuals 6 months of age and older should receive a flu shot.  It is especially important for persons to get a flu shot if they are at higher risk for health complications due to influenza illness or care for those that are considered to be high risk.

The following groups are at higher risk in developing flu complications themselves or care for those that are at higher risk:

• Children younger than 5 years of age, especially children less than 2 years of age

• Adults 50 years of age and older

• Pregnant women

• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

• Healthcare workers
• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)  

• People of any age with the following underlying health conditions:

  • Asthma

  • Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy [seizure disorders], stroke, intellectual disability [mental retardation[, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury)

  •  Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)

  • Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)

  • Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)

  • Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)

  • Kidney disorders

  • Liver disorders

  • Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
    Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)

  • People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

  • People who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index, or BMI, of 40 or greater)

 Who can NOT receive a flu shot?

Individuals who are not sure if they fall within one of the categories below should consult their primary medical provider before getting a flu shot.

• Individuals who have allergies to chicken eggs or who have had severe reactions to flu shots in the past

• Individuals who are moderately or severely ill with a fever, should wait to receive their flu shot until after their symptoms lessen

• Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disorder of the nervous system within 6 weeks following a previous dose of TIV is considered to be a precaution for use of TIV

• Children younger than 6 months of age 

 Where to get a flu shot

Flu vaccinations are given by many health care providers, pharmacies and other businesses inthe area.  It is always a good idea to call ahead of time to check for vaccine availability, especially early in the fall.  If you plan to receive a flu shot from your primary health care provider for a flu shot, it's also a good idea to call them ahead of time to ensure that they have flu shots on  hand for your appointment. (Click here for a list of providers and their contact information)

MHD has partnered with Aurora VNA to provide flu shots to anyone age 9 or older at the Milwaukee Health Department sites listed below.  Pneumococcal vaccine will also be available for adults age 65 and older or for others with certain health conditions or risk factors. 

Costs: For people with Medicare Part B and Medicaid, the cost of flu and pneumonia vaccinations is covered by these plans.   For people not on Medicare or Medicaid, the charge is $30 for a flu shot and $55 for a pneumonia shot. Payment must be made by cash or check. (Checks to Aurora Visiting Nurse Association, or VNA.)  

All children (age 18 and under) without insurance or unable to pay the insurance co-pay can get flu or pneumococcal vaccinations free of charge at any Milwaukee Health Department Walk-in Clinic when vaccine becomes available.  Call (414) 286-8034 to check for flu vaccine availability.

Flu shots are also available at the following locations. For more information on cost, appointments, and age requirements, please visit their indvidual website.

Aurora VNA

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

Walgreens

CVS

Walmart

Target