Can you get the flu vaccination after you have had the flu?

Answer 1

First, to be sure your question is fully answered and understood, the flu vaccinations are for prevention of infection with the exact type of flu that is contained in the vaccine, so if you have already been ill with the flu then there is no need to vaccinate to prevent that same flu, since your immune system will naturally develop immunity to future infections by that same virus from having had the flu without a vaccination.

But, since there are so many different types of flu viruses, and since usually no lab testing is done to determine or confirm the exact strain of virus that has made you ill, then you will still need to get the vaccination for the seasonal flu, which, in most locations of the world, will contain vaccine against the three most prevalent flu viruses circulating at that time. The vaccination will be still needed to protect you from any of those other flu viruses that you have not yet been exposed to.

So, to answer: Yes, you can get the flu vaccination after you have the flu unless you are not fully recovered and still have a fever. It will not hurt you to receive a vaccine for a virus that you have already been exposed to or that has already made you ill. Your immune system will just say, "Been there done that" and go to work on creating immunity to any other viruses in the vaccine that it has not seen before.

Answer 2

Yes, and it is a good idea, since you can get different types of the flu, the seasonal flu shot in the US gives you protection from previous year strain plus expected mutation for present year not three strains as previously stated. . You can't have had a type of flu that isn't one of the current strains for that year The flu shot will protect you from what is expected that year.

In the Northern Hemisphere (including the US), the flu vaccine is recommended to be given through the end of March since the flu season is still active in April. After that, it is usually okay to wait until the beginning of the next flu season for the vaccination, in the fall around September or October.

Answer 3

Yes, and, since the seasonal flu vaccination in the US contains the vaccine for three different types of flu, you should get that to be sure you are covered for the main types expected to be circulating in the environment during each flu season.

In the Northern Hemisphere (including the US), the flu vaccine is recommended to be given through the end of March since the flu season is still active until April. After that, it is usually okay to wait until the beginning of the next flu season for the vaccination in the fall around September or October.

Answer 4

Yes you can. There are many strains of the flu, and the vaccinations only protect against some. But you are less likely to get the flu if you have been vaccinated.