Flu Vaccination Methods: Flu Shot or Nasal Spray

The flu vaccination can be administered in one of two ways. You can receive a single dose of medication via injection in the muscle tissue of the upper arm or by nasal spray.

Flu Shot
The standard method of administering the flu vaccine is by injection. Side effects do not generally occur with this method, but some slight soreness may be experienced at the injection site. This usually disappears after a very short while.

This method contains dead viruses, so you cannot pass the flu onto someone else. It can be administered to children as young as six months old and up to any age. Pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions can also receive the vaccination.

Nasal Spray
The newer vaccination method is inhaling a nasal spray with the vaccine included.  This vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women, children younger than six or adults older than 50.  People with weakened immune systems should not receive the nasal spray vaccine.

This method contains weakened live viruses, meaning that it will not give you the flu, but you may – in very rare instances – pass along the flu to someone else. The nasal spray is also not recommended for anyone receiving aspirin therapy, and it is generally not covered by insurance.