Annual Flu Shots

Frequently Asked Questions About Flu Shots

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If I received the COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster, do I need a flu shot since they are both viruses?

Yes, influenza and COVID-19 are different viruses, requiring different vaccines to protect you.

How far apart do I need to schedule my flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster?

Your flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster can be can be given the same time, in any order, at any interval. Most importantly, get both.

Does the flu vaccine contain the COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster?

No. The flu vaccine only protects against the flu.

Why isn’t there a combination vaccine for both influenza and COVID-19?

There are ongoing efforts to develop a combination vaccine but there is not yet one available on the market.

Who should get a flu shot?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all individuals 6 months and older be vaccinated each year.

Can my child be vaccinated too?

Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged 6-months and older. At all BJC free flu shot clinics, the following apply:

All children 17-years and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A grandparent can bring the child with a written consent from a parent.
If this is the first year your child is receiving the flu vaccine and he/she is 6-months through 8-years of age, then a second follow-up vaccine is required four weeks after the first dose for maximum effectiveness. Only the first dose will be given at these clinics, so you will need to see your primary health care provider for the follow-up vaccine.
If your child is 6-months through 8-years of age and received 2 or more doses of flu vaccine prior to July 1, 2022, then only one dose of vaccine is needed this season.

I am generally healthy, so do I really need the flu shot?

Although the elderly, the very young and those with chronic illness may be more susceptible to the deadlier effects of the flu, everyone is at risk of the dangerous effects of the flu. Every year, even previously healthy adults end up in the hospital, and in the intensive care unit, unable to breathe on their own.

In addition to protecting yourself from getting the flu, getting vaccinated decreases the spread of disease for everyone. Approximately 20%-30% of people carrying the influenza virus have no symptoms. Even if you think you aren’t at risk, you could be spreading the illness to someone at high risk of complications from the flu.

Can the flu shot make me sick or give me the flu?

No. The flu shot is made from an inactivated virus that can’t cause an infection. The flu shot can cause a sore arm. People who get sick with flu right after receiving a flu vaccination were likely going to get sick anyway from a recent exposure to someone with the flu. It takes about two weeks to get protection from the vaccine, but people assume that because they got sick after getting the vaccine, the flu shot caused their illness. The flu shot also only protects against influenza, so you can still get a cold after you get the vaccine.

I am pregnant. Will the flu shot harm my baby?

No. The CDC recommends that all women who are pregnant during flu season receive the seasonal flu shot. According to the CDC, influenza is more likely to cause severe illness and death in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women. The effects of the flu virus on a pregnant woman’s immune system, heart and lungs can endanger her life and the life of her unborn child.

Research suggests the flu vaccine is not only safe for expectant moms and their developing babies, but also effective. Pregnant women who get a flu shot get sick less frequently with influenza than those who don't get the vaccine.

What are the risks of getting the flu and COVID-19 at the same time?

We don’t yet have enough experience with COVID-19 to know how common co-infection with influenza may be or what kind of illness that would cause. Since both viruses can cause breathing problems, it makes sense that having both together may make those problems worse.

Where can I find more information about the flu and flu shots?

For more specific information about the flu and flu shots, we recommend the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the best single source of information.

Is it a cold, the flu, COVID-19 or simply Fall allergies?

You wake up with a sore throat or sniffles. Do you immediately begin to worry? “Do I have COVID-19? Or could it be just a cold? What about allergies? Is it the flu?”

Here’s a look at the differences and similarities among the flu, colds, COVID-19 and seasonal allergies, courtesy of the CDC.

Learn more about and register for the COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster.

Symptoms Comparison Table

Flu & Cold Symptoms

Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell them apart, based on symptoms alone.

In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more intense. Flu usually comes on suddenly, whereas a cold comes on gradually. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose — and colds generally don’t result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can tell if a person has the flu.

People who have the flu often feel sudden onset of some or all of these symptoms:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever.

Those with a cold may have these symptoms, which often come on gradually:

Sneezing
Stuffy or runny nose
Sore throat
Mild to moderate cough
Body aches are possible
Fatigue and weakness

What to do about cold or flu symptoms? Contact your provider!

Many providers offer virtual visits for cold or flu symptoms. Or, walk-in Convenient Care clinics are open to treat standard cold and flu symptoms.

COVID-19 Symptoms

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19). People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms — ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may be more mild in people who have been vaccinated.

People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

(This list doesn’t include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as more is learned about COVID-19.)

What to do about COVID-19 symptoms? Take an online risk screening!

As a helpful first step, we've created a free screening tool based on the CDC guidelines to provide you the most appropriate care recommendations. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Seasonal allergies triggered by airborne pollen can lead to seasonal allergic rhinitis, which affects the nose and sinuses, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, which affects the eyes.

Because some of the symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal allergies are similar, it may be difficult to tell the difference between them, and you may need to get a test to confirm your diagnosis. Symptoms of seasonal allergies may include:

Itchy, watery eyes
Sneezing
Cough
Fatigue
Headache
Sore throat
Congestion
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing*

*Seasonal allergies do not usually cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, unless a person has a respiratory condition such as asthma that can be triggered by exposure to pollen. This is not a complete list of all possible symptoms of seasonal allergies. Symptoms vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. You can have symptoms of both COVID-19 and seasonal allergies at the same time.

What to do about allergy symptoms? Contact your provider!

Allergy relief can often be handled through office visits with your provider, virtual visits or walk-in Convenient Care clinics.