Different Types of Flu Vaccines

Key points

  • Influenza (flu) vaccines provide protection against infection with influenza viruses.
  • Learn more about the different flu vaccines available and where to find flu vaccines.
vaccine bottle held by health care professional

Overview

ACIP Recommendations‎

Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2024-2025 Influenza Season has been published.

Influenza (flu) vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the influenza viruses that are used to make vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common during the upcoming season. These include three different main groups of influenza Type A and B viruses. Below are links to more information about the different type of flu vaccines available.

Flu shot

Flu shots are vaccines given with a needle, usually in the arm.

Trivalent flu vaccine

Trivalent flu vaccines protect against three different main groups of influenza Type A and B viruses. For the 2024-25 influenza season, all influenza vaccines available in the United States will be trivalent.

High-dose flu vaccine

The high dose vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose) contains four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against influenza viruses) as a regular inactivated flu shot to help create a stronger immune response. It is approved for use in people 65 years and older.

Cell-based flu vaccines

Cell-based vaccines (Flucelvax) are grown in mammal cell culture instead of in hens' eggs. This vaccine is completely egg-free and is approved for people 6 months and older.

Flu vaccination by jet injector

Flu vaccination via jet injector (Afluria is approved for use in people 18 through 64 years old. People in this age group can get this vaccine either with a jet injector or with a needle. People under 18 years old and over 64 years old can get this vaccine only with a needle.

Nasal spray flu vaccine

Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine [LAIV] (FluMist) is given as a nasal spray. This vaccine is made with attenuated (weakened) live influenza viruses and is approved for use in people aged 2 through 49 years. This vaccine is not recommended for use in pregnant people, immunocompromised people, or people with certain medical conditions.

Adjuvanted flu vaccine

Adjuvanted flu vaccine (Fluad vaccine) is made with an ingredient (an adjuvant) that helps create a stronger immune response and is licensed specifically for people 65 years and older.

Recombinant flu vaccine

Recombinant flu vaccine (Flublok) is produced using a method that does not require an egg-grown vaccine virus. This vaccine contains three times the antigen (the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against flu viruses) than other standard-dose inactivated flu vaccines.

Resources

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