Flu Shot Ingredients: Whats in It and Is It Safe? – Healthline

If you read the ingredient list of your average flu vaccine, you may notice words like formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, and thimerosal.

Some of these ingredients, such as thimerosal, have made news in recent years because of concerns that they may pose health risks.

During the last half-century, millions of people have gotten the flu shot. Very few people have had any serious problems. Research overwhelmingly shows that the flu vaccine and the chemicals it contains are safe.

Heres a rundown of the typical ingredients youll find in a flu vaccine, and the real story behind those possible risks.

When you get a flu vaccine, you have two options:

Here are some ingredients youll find in the flu shot:

Many flu vaccines are made by growing the viruses inside fertilized chicken eggs. This means that they contain a small amount of egg protein.

A newer version of the vaccine, called Flucelvax, is grown in animal cells instead.

Vaccine manufacturers add the preservative thimerosal to multidose vaccine vials. Thimerosal helps prevent and kill dangerous bacteria and fungi in the vial.

Thimerosal contains mercury, which can be toxic in large doses. There isnt enough evidence to show the small amount contained in the flu vaccine is dangerous. But if youre concerned, thimerosal-free versions of the flu vaccine are available.

Sucrose, sorbitol, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are used to keep vaccines stable. They prevent vaccines from losing potency, even when exposed to heat and light.

Sucrose is the same table sugar you spoon into your coffee. Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener thats also found in chewing gum.

MSG is a flavor enhancer. Commonly thought of as an additive in Chinese food, its used in many processed foods. Though certain people are sensitive to MSG, the amount found in the flu vaccine is very small.

Neomycin, gentamicin, and other antibiotics are added to vaccines in very small amounts. They stop bacteria from contaminating the vaccine.

This emulsifier prevents sauces and salad dressings from separating. In vaccines, polysorbate 80 keeps all the ingredients evenly distributed.

Though large doses can cause some people to have reactions, the amount in the flu vaccine is very small.

This natural compound is found in household products from glues and other adhesives to pressed-wood furniture. Formaldehyde is a gas thats soluble in water. Its used in the flu vaccine to inactivate influenza virus.

Routine exposure to large doses of formaldehyde is linked to eye and throat irritation, breathing trouble, and a higher risk for certain cancers.

However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most formaldehyde used in producing a vaccine undergoes removal from the vaccine solution before being packaged and sent to doctors and pharmacies.

Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the level of formaldehyde that remains in a vaccine (such as the flu vaccine) is much lower than the amount that occurs naturally in the human body.

The residual amount of formaldehyde used in vaccines does not pose a safety concern, and there is no evidence linking cancer to infrequent exposure to tiny amounts of formaldehyde via injection as occurs with vaccines.

Most side effects from the flu vaccine are mild. People have reported symptoms like:

Call your doctor or go to an emergency room right away if you have any of these more serious side effects, which may indicate an allergic reaction:

A yearly flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent the flu and its complications.

Although vaccine effectiveness can vary from year to year, in general the vaccine can reduce doctors visits and illness. During the 20162017 flu season, the flu shot prevented 2.6 million doctors visits and 5.6 million illnesses.

The flu vaccine will lower your likelihood of getting sick. And if you do catch the flu, its likely to be milder than if you werent vaccinated.

The vaccine also prevents serious flu-related complications like:

Thats why its especially important for young children, older adults, and anyone with chronic health conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and diabetes to get vaccinated.

The flu vaccine is very effective, but it isnt right for everyone.

Dont get the vaccine if youve had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient it contains, including egg protein.

You also should avoid the flu vaccine if youve had Guillain-Barr syndrome. In 1976, a swine flu vaccine was linked to an increased risk for Guillain-Barr, which causes the immune system to attack and damage the protective coating around nerve cells.

Guillain-Barr syndrome causes extreme weakness and tingling in the limbs, known as severe peripheral neuropathy. It can be life-threatening in rare cases.

Theres no clear link between the current flu vaccine and Guillain-Barr. If any risk exists, its very small, affecting about 1 out of every 1 million people vaccinated.

The vaccine also isnt recommended for babies under 6 months old because it hasnt been proven safe in infants.

Talk to your doctor if you have a weakened immune system, or if you take medicine to suppress your immune system. You may not respond as well to the vaccine.

If youre sick, you might want to put off the flu shot until you feel better.

Its always a good idea to talk with your doctor, especially if you havent gotten the flu vaccine before or if your health has changed. If you have an allergy or other condition that might make the vaccine risky for you, check with your doctor before getting vaccinated.

Here are a few questions to ask your doctor:

The flu vaccine is considered safe. You cant catch the flu from the vaccine, because the virus in the vaccine has been killed or weakened.

The live vaccine isnt recommended for people with weaker immune systems.

Getting the flu vaccine is one of the best ways to avoid the flu this season. Also try these other steps to protect yourself against the flu virus:

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Flu Shot Ingredients: Whats in It and Is It Safe? - Healthline