How long can a flu vaccine remain outside a refrigerator?

Answer 1

In the US, the seasonal flu shots are being given in many locations such as pharmacies, doctor's offices, and even grocery stores. In addition to the doctor's offices, some of these other locations accept appointments, and you would have little wait if you made an appointment in advance.

Since you indicated in the discussion section that you are having anxiety about getting the shot, you could tell them at the time you make the appointment that you are very worried about getting shots and ask them what would be the best time for you to get a friendly vaccination without a long and disturbing wait.

The shot itself would take seconds once the injection is prepared with the dose of medicine. There are forms to be signed prior to the shot, but they can be done in a matter of minutes at the most. The entire process could potentially take less than ten minutes from car door to car door.

When you get to the location, tell the person who will be giving you the shot that you have a fear of shots, then they can make the process less scary and help put you at ease if they are aware of your fears. The vaccinations do not hurt any more than any shot in the arm, and the needle size is normal, not big or long at all.

This flu season (2010 - 2011) in the US:

The H1N1/09 Pandemic Swine Flu vaccination does not require a separate administration of the vaccine as it did in the prior flu season when the vaccine for H1N1/09 was still under development, and distribution was on a risk-based prioritization. This time, the H1N1/09 vaccine is included in the seasonal flu vaccination as one of the three viruses selected, since they are expected to be the prevalent ones circulating during the flu season. So only one flu shot (or nasal spray) is needed this time.

For H1N1/09 the Pandemic Swine Flu in 2009:

Also in the US, now the "swine flu" (A-H1N1/09) vaccinations are also being given. They are being given on a priority basis based upon the degree of risk of the recipient for getting the flu or having serious complications from the flu. Pregnant women, very young children over 6 months old, parents who care for babies under 6 months old, people with underlying immune system disease or those on medications that affect the immune system, health care and fire workers, and teens and young adults (especially who have underlying diseases) are among those who will be on the high priority list to get the vaccines first.

You may need to contact your health care provider to find out if you are among any of the groups who will be first to get the vaccines. There is less of a shortage in the US now as production continues, but it is still being provided in some states strictly according to the priority list until the vaccines reach full production and distribution.

If you are among these groups to be first to receive the vaccines, your own health care professional (or your employer if you are a health care worker, etc.), may have a supply of the vaccine for your use, and you may be able to schedule an appointment for the shot or nasal spray (if you are a candidate to use the nasal mist instead of a shot, i.e., healthy and aged 2 - 49). In that case, your vaccination should be able to be completed as quickly or more quickly than described above for the seasonal vaccinations.

If your employer or health care provider is not providing the H1N1/09 vaccinations, then your wait could be longer before your risk group is eligible to receive the vaccines. You will need to monitor the news or state department of health web sites to find out when your group is eligible.

Currently there have been being long lines with long wait times for these vaccines (hours) in some locations. This should get better as each state receives its full supplies of vaccine. The shortage is expected to be alleviated by January 2010. If you are not in a high risk group and can wait until later to get your H1N1 vaccination, the wait times will be much shorter as each state opens and staffs more immunization centers in more locations. In the mean time continue to practice all preventive measures to avoid getting the flu.

See discussion for additional information from the asker of the question. Related questions are added mostly in reference to the reason this user asked the question.

Answer 2

You will be protected for life against that exactsubtype/strain of the flu virus that was contained in the vaccine (or that you caught which caused you to be ill), and you will likely also have some cross-over protection from very similar strains.

However, viruses do mutate easily, and if later you are infected with another strain or mutation of the virus, and if your immune system does not recognize it any longer because it has mutated to a different form, then you may have no immunity to that new strain. This is one reason we need to take annual vaccines for the rapidly mutating common seasonal flu strains.

Answer 3

Flu vaccines actually require very specific storage temperatures. They should not remain outside the refrigerator, and should be drawn from the vial into the syringe at the time the vaccine is administered.

Answer 4

How long can flu shots be left out of refrigerator

Answer 5

four to six months.

Answer 6

1 year