Is it ok to get a flu shot while you are recovering from a cold?

I got mine last Weds. and came down with a cold several people I knew had that night. haha

Yes, cold viruses are not part of the flu shot and have no effect. It takes 2 weeks for the flu shot to become active in your immune system.

Yes. It’s fine.

Yes, it’s OK. Despite the rumors, you cannot get sick from a flu shot, which uses killed flu virus.

Seconding @marinelife, the shot uses dead viruses but the nasal vaccine uses live ones. I’m sure it’d be fine either way, but it’s all the better you got the shot.

Unfortunately people do get sick from the flu shot, just not in the way people think. It’s genetic and it’s also just a reaction your body sometimes has. My family is notorious for falling sick RIGHT after getting a flu shot. Most years I miss a week of work from it, and being in the military missing a week of work means it’s something serious. If it never happened to you then it never will, so no worries.

No. You should be healthy when you get the shot. Specifically it is advised to not get the shot if you have a moderate to severe illness, especially if it includes a fever. A cold is not severe, So it is not specifically contraindicated, but why not just wait 5 days when you are better. The shot affects your immune system, and the cold is also affecting your immune system. I think why stress your system when not necessary.

Meanwhile, don’t worry about it. You were at the end of your cold and the deed is done already.

I don’t know where everyone above is getting their advice from? Have you ever read the contraindications for receiving the shot? And, don’t trust nurses or doctors to have read anything either. I don’t see what the cold and flu being two different viruses has to do with anything. And I don’t see what the shot not causing illness has to do with anything.

@Moegitto, why get the flu shot if it takes you off the line for a week? Isn’t the whole point of the thing to keep you from getting knocked down for a week by the flu in the first place?

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<< has never gotten the flu shot… and hasn’t had the flu since 1986.

@robmandu For many reasons my friend…
1. So I can get around to finishing those video games I couldn’t finish in my busy workload.
2. Because I know how to treat the flu shot response I get. It’s just a normal flu, I’d rather get the shot and deal with a flu then not get the shot and deal with some new weird animal named flu (Bear Flu anyone?)
3. In the military they can actually kick you out for refusing a shot.