Explicación de la vacuna contra la gripe

Influenza (flu) is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Millions of people get the flu and can be hospitalized or die from flu-related causes every year.

La vacuna anual contra la gripe estacional es la mejor forma de reducir el riesgo de enfermarse con la gripe estacional y contagiar a otros. Además, cuando una mayor cantidad de personas se vacunan contra la gripe, el nivel de gripe que se propaga en esa comunidad es menor.

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies protect against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine defends you from the influenza viruses that are likely to be most common during the upcoming flu season.

Todas las personas que tengan más de seis meses de edad deben recibir la vacuna contra la gripe todas las temporadas de gripe. La vacunación para prevenir la gripe es especialmente importante para las personas que presentan riesgo alto de padecer complicaciones serias por la gripe.

If your child is between 6 months to 8 years old and never had a flu shot or only received one dose before July 1, they will need two doses of the flu vaccine. The two doses must be given at least four weeks apart. Learn more about childhood immunizations.

Hable con su médico de atención primaria si tiene inquietudes acerca de la vacunación contra la gripe. Generally, those who meet any of the below criteria should not get the flu vaccine:

• niños de menos de seis meses de edad;
• personas que presentan una enfermedad de moderada a grave y que tienen fiebre en el momento de la vacunación;
• People with life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in the flu vaccine (such as gelatin)*
• personas que actualmente desarrollaron el trastorno neurológico poco frecuente denominado “síndrome de Guillain-Barré” luego de recibir la vacuna contra la gripe estacional;

*Las personas a las que se les ha diagnosticado una alergia al huevo pueden solicitar una vacuna sin huevo.

Debe vacunarse contra la gripe antes de que la gripe comience a propagarse en su comunidad. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu. Make plans to get vaccinated early in fall before flu season begins.

You should get a flu vaccine in the fall, if possible. Getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.

Children who need two doses of vaccine should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart. Talk to your child's doctor to see if they need one or two doses of flu vaccine.

The body's immune response from vaccination declines over time, so it needs an annual vaccine for the best protection. Flu viruses are constantly changing. The formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and updated to keep up with changing flu viruses.

No. It takes at least two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against an influenza virus infection. That's why it's better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.

Sí. Todavía hay posibilidades de contagiarse de gripe aunque se haya vacunado.

The flu vaccine's ability to protect a person depends on various factors, including the age and health of the person being vaccinated, and the similarity or “match” between the viruses used to make the vaccine and those circulating in the community. If the viruses in the vaccine and the influenza viruses in the community are closely matched, vaccine effectiveness is higher. If they are not a close match, vaccine effectiveness can be reduced.

Even when the viruses are not closely matched, the vaccine can still protect many people and prevent flu-related complications. Antibodies made in response to the vaccine can provide some protection (called cross-protection) against different but related influenza viruses.

It can vary from year to year and among different age and risk groups. For more information about the flu vaccine, visit the California Department of Public Health's website and the American Academy of Pediatrics' website.

There are many reasons to get a flu vaccine each year. For additional information, please visit the California Department of Public Health's website to learn more.

• Flu vaccines help everyone to stay healthy and protect against illness.
• Flu vaccines lower your chances of illness and hospitalization.
• Flu vaccines lower the risk of serious health problems for:
  • Adultos de edad avanzada
  • Infants and children
  • People with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
• Flu vaccines during pregnancy help protect people who are pregnant and their babies from early delivery, low birth weight and stillbirth.

It's safe and effective to get flu vaccines at the same time as COVID-19, RSV, or other vaccines. Check with your primary care physician if you have questions.