Types of Flu Vaccines

There are two types of flu vaccine available.

• The “flu shot” — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

* “Healthy” indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.

SOURCE: www.cdc.gov