Flu Shots
When should you get the flu vaccine?
Plan to get your flu shot in October or November if you can, but getting vaccinated in December, or even later, will still be beneficial in most years.
Flu is typically seasonal, appearing December through March in Michigan. A flu shot is needed each year because immunity lasts only three to six months, and because the strains of influenza change year-to-year.
Protection from the flu vaccine develops about two weeks after vaccination.
Who should receive a flu shot?
An annual flu shot is recommended for:
- All persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others
- All children aged six months to five years
- All persons age 50 or older
- All persons who work or live in a long-term care facility
- People with chronic health problems, such as asthma, heart disease, emphysema and diabetes
- Women who will be pregnant during flu season
- All health care personnel
- Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of children less than five years or adults 50 years or older
- Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from the flu (such as people whose immune systems may be weakened or those with chronic health problems)
Who cannot receive a flu shot?
You should not receive a flu shot if you:
- Are less than six months old
- Have a fever of 101°F or higher
- Have a severe allergy to eggs/egg products
- Are allergic to the preservative Thimerosal
- Are diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome
* If you are allergic to Benadryl or Epinephrine, you should only receive the shot in a medical office with a licensed provider present who is capable of ordering emergency treatments.
Cost of flu shots?
- $33 for flu shot
- $35 for preservative-free pediatric vaccine (for children aged 6 months to 3 years)
- $36 for Flu-Mist (Nasal spray flu vaccine available only for healthy individuals age 5-49 years and by appointment at the East Ann Arbor Health Center only. Call 734-647-5650 for an appointment.
Where can I receive a flu shot?
- For UMHS patients: Health Center Flu Clinic Schedule (PDF) administered by Michigan Visiting Nurses
- For the public: Community Flu Clinic Schedule (PDF) administered by Michigan Visiting Nurses
- For UMHS faculty, medical students and volunteers: UMHS Employee Flu Clinic Schedule administered by Employee Health Services
- For UMHS faculty, students, alumni and others: U-M Flu Clinic Schedule administered by University Health Services
Contact your doctor’s office to determine how to receive your flu shot.
