HIV

Q: Should I get a flu shot?

Yes, flu shots are worth getting. People infected with HIV who receive flu vaccinations are less likely to get the flu, and when they do, their symptoms are less serious. There is no evidence that flu vaccination has any long-term effect on HIV viral load or CD4 cell count.

It is recommended that people with HIV receive flu vaccination every year, as they may be at higher risk of developing serious flu and related complications. The seasonal flu vaccine is produced every year based on 3 or 4 flu strains seen the previous year. Flu vaccination should be repeated every year, as the strain of seasonal influenza infecting people changes every year.

People with HIV should receive the flu shot rather than the nasal spray. The shot does not contain live flu virus whereas the nasal spray contains flu virus that is alive but weakened. People with vulnerable immune systems may have a higher risk of complications from the nasal spray. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot. You should tell your provider if you are allergic to eggs (since some vaccines are made with flu virus that is grown in eggs) or have had a bad reaction to other vaccinations in the past before you receive the flu shot.