Vaccines to Prevent the Flu
Getting the flu vaccine every year prevents flu infection and its complications in most people. There are different ways to get a flu vaccine. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
You cannot get the flu from the vaccine. The vaccine prevents most cases of the flu. But even when the vaccine doesn't prevent the flu, it can make symptoms less severe and reduce the chance of problems from the flu.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
Everyone age 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine each year. It lowers the chance of getting and spreading the flu. The vaccine is very important for people who are at high risk for having serious problems from the flu. This includes:
- Anyone 65 years of age or older.
- People who live in a long-term care center, such as a nursing home.
- All young children.
- Adults and children 6 months and older who have long-term heart or lung problems, such as asthma.
- Adults and children 6 months and older who needed medical care or were in a hospital during the past year because of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a weak immune system.
- People who are pregnant.
- People who have any condition that can make it hard to breathe or swallow (such as a brain injury or muscle disorders).
- Healthcare workers, caregivers, and close contacts of people at high risk.
Do flu vaccines protect against more than one type of flu virus?
Influenza (flu) vaccines are made to work against more than one type of flu. For example, a trivalent vaccine works against three types, and a quadrivalent vaccine works against four types of flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend one version over another version.
Flu viruses are always changing. Each year's flu vaccine is made to protect against viruses that are likely to cause infection that year. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
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Current as of: February 27, 2026
Author:
WebMD Ignite Staff
Clinical Review Board
All WebMD Ignite education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: February 27, 2026
Author:
WebMD Ignite Staff
Clinical Review Board
All WebMD Ignite education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.