The flu vaccine helps your immune system to produce antibodies to fight influenza virus. If you have been vaccinated and you come into contact with the virus, these antibodies will attack it and stop you from getting sick. The flu vaccine starts to work within two weeks.
This year, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the 4 strains of flu virus recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the strains most likely to be circulating this season.
The flu viruses that are circulating change every year. This is why you need to get a new vaccine each year.
You should get your flu vaccination from early October to be protected for flu season.
The flu vaccine doesn't contain any live viruses - it cannot give you the flu.
Oct. 29, 2019, 3:01 p.m.