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Can influenza vaccines give me influenza?

Question: 

Can influenza vaccines give me influenza?

Answer: 

The inactivated influenza vaccine cannot give you influenza. This vaccine contains killed influenza viruses that cannot cause infection. The live attenuated influenza vaccine given as a nasal spray contains weakened influenza viruses. Common reactions to the live vaccine include mild symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and fever. These symptoms are less severe than those from influenza infection and last a shorter time. As a precaution, people with weakened immune systems should not get the live vaccine.

Date last reviewed: 
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2021