Flu vaccination

Protect yourself and loved ones from the flu

Getting a flu shot is the best way to help protect yourself, and everyone around you, from getting the most common types of the flu virus. It reduces your risk of getting the flu by about 50 percent.

Flu shot appointments are available at many of our clinic locations. If you are a current patient, you can schedule your appointment online using your Allina Health account. If you are new to Allina Health, call the clinic to schedule.

Learn more about other respiratory vaccines.

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What is the Flu Shot?

The flu vaccine work by stimulating your immune system to develop antibodies against the viruses included in the vaccine. The vaccine can:

prevent you from getting the flu
make the flu less severe if you do get it
keep you from spreading the flu to others

The flu vaccine is updated annually to protect you from the virus strains expected this flu season, which may change from flu season to flu season. Because the common flu strains may change, it is important to be vaccinated each year in order to be protected from the current flu strains.

What to expect from your Flu shot

You can get a flu shot at most Allina Health clinics any time throughout the influenza season, which typically lasts from October through May. We offer:

injectable influenza vaccine for those six months of age and older,
nasal influenza vaccine for those ages two-49 years of age,
egg-free influenza vaccine for those 6 months of age and older
senior influenza vaccine for those 65 years of age and older.

You can get a flu shot as part of an appointment with your provider, or you can come to a clinic for a shot-only appointment.

After receiving the shot, your body needs two weeks to develop antibodies against the viruses. This means you can become sick with the flu before protection from the vaccine starts.

More about the flu shot

Anyone can get the flu. Even if you are healthy, it’s important that you get a flu vaccine each year to protect yourself and your family. Find out why October is the best time to get a flu shot. All people, six months and older, should get an annual influenza vaccination. The flu shot is especially important, if you are:

65 years or older
pregnant
living with or caring for others who are high risk for developing serious complications, like pneumonia
managing asthma, diabetes or chronic lung disease

You should consult with your provider before getting a flu shot if you have had a bad flu shot reaction, are currently ill (with or without a fever) or have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

All flu vaccinations given by Allina Health are latex free and contain no preservatives.

The flu vaccine will not protect you against the swine flu.