The flu (influenza) is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that spread easily from coughing and sneezing. It can cause mild to severe illness. People with asthma are at higher risk of serious health problems from the flu. If you have asthma, protecting yourself from the flu is very important.

Here are steps you can take to help reduce the spread of flu and other respiratory infections:

• Get the flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people ages 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.
• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have access to running water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• Wear a face mask in crowded spaces during flu season.
• If you get the flu or have flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school.
  
  

Flu season runs from fall through spring. It usually peaks from December through February. Get your flu vaccine as soon as possible at the beginning of flu season so you can be protected before flu hits your community.

Help Spread the Word

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is making this digital toolkit available to help advocates communicate about the importance of getting the annual flu vaccine as well as other ways to protect against flu. The toolkit includes sample social media and graphics to share on your personal social channels.

Don’t forget to tag AAFA on your posts!

Twitter: @AAFANational

Instagram: @AAFANational

Facebook: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

LinkedIn: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Use these hashtags when sharing:

Twitter and Instagram: #FightFlu #FluShot #SleeveUp #FluSeason

LinkedIn: #PublicHealth #CommunityHealth #RespiratoryCare #Flu

Sample Social Media Posts About the Flu Vaccine

Who can get the flu vaccine?

Twitter: Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year, with rare exceptions. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself and the people you care for from getting very ill. More from @AAFANational: aafa.org/flu #FightFlu #Asthma

Facebook and LinkedIn: Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year, with rare exceptions. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself and the people you care for from getting very ill. More from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: aafa.org/flu

Instagram: Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year, with rare exceptions. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself and the people you care for from getting very ill. More from @AAFANational: aafa.org/flu

#FightFlu #Asthma #FluShot #SleeveUp #FluSeason

People with egg allergy can get the flu vaccine.

Twitter: It is safe for people (6 months and older) with an egg allergy to receive a flu vaccine every year. This is true no matter how severe your egg allergy was in the past. More from @AAFANational: aafa.org/flu #FightFlu

Facebook: It is safe for people (6 months and older) with an egg allergy to receive a flu vaccine every year. This is true no matter how severe your egg allergy was in the past. AAFA, CDC, AAP, AAAAI and ACAAI all recommend flu vaccines. More from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: aafa.org/flu

Instagram: It is safe for people (6 months and older) with an egg allergy to receive a flu vaccine every year. This is true no matter how severe your egg allergy was in the past. AAFA, CDC, AAP, AAAAI and ACAAI all recommend flu vaccines. More from @AAFANational: aafa.org/flu

#FightFlu #EggAllergy #FluShot #SleeveUp #FluSeason

Which flu vaccine should you get?

Twitter: Flu viruses change from year to year. So, the flu vaccines change every year. @AAFANational recommends you get a yearly flu vaccine. Learn more: aafa.org/flu #FightFlu

Facebook and LinkedIn: Flu viruses change from year to year. So, the flu vaccines change every year. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends you get a yearly flu vaccine. Learn more: aafa.org/flu

Instagram: Flu viruses change from year to year. So, the flu vaccines change every year. @AAFANational recommends you get a yearly flu vaccine. Learn more: aafa.org/flu

#FightFlu #FluShot #SleeveUp #FluSeason

You can get a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

Twitter: As we continue to fight COVID-19, we are now in flu season too. You can get a #COVIDVaccine (like your booster shot) at the same time as your #FluVaccine! More from @AAFANational: aafa.org/flu #FightFlu

Facebook: As we continue to fight COVID-19, we are now in flu season too. You can get a #COVIDVaccine (like your booster shot) at the same time as your #FluVaccine! More from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: aafa.org/flu #FightFlu

Instagram: As we continue to fight COVID-19, we are now in flu season too. You can get a #COVIDVaccine (like your booster shot) at the same time as your #FluVaccine! More from @AAFANational: aafa.org/flu

#FightFlu #FluShot #COVIDVaccine #SleeveUp

Protect yourself and your family now!

Twitter: Flu spreads from fall through spring each year. People with asthma are at high risk for having serious complications from the flu, like asthma attacks and pneumonia. More from @AAFANational: aafa.org/flu #FightFlu

Facebook: Flu spreads from fall through spring each year. People with asthma are at high risk for having serious complications from the flu, like asthma attacks and pneumonia. More from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: aafa.org/flu #FightFlu

Instagram: Flu spreads from fall through spring each year. People with asthma are at high risk for having serious complications from the flu, like asthma attacks and pneumonia. More from @AAFANational: aafa.org/flu

#FightFlu #FluShot #SleeveUp

Share your flu shot selfie to encourage others to get vaccinated.

Encourage your followers on social media to get their annual flu vaccine by featuring a photo showing off a bandage after getting a flu vaccine. Take a selfie then share to your stories or feed. Use stickers and text to add your messages!

Twitter: I joined @AAFANational to #FightFlu. Get your flu vaccine if you haven’t already. Have questions? Visit the AAFA website for more information! aafa.org/flu

LinkedIn: I joined @AAFANational to #FightFlu. Get your flu vaccine if you haven’t already. Have questions? Visit the AAFA website for more information! aafa.org/flu

#PublicHealth #CommunityHealth #RespiratoryCare

Facebook:
I joined @AAFANational to #FightFlu. Get your flu vaccine if you haven’t already. Have questions? Visit the AAFA website for more information! aafa.org/flu

Instagram: I joined @AAFANational to #FightFlu. Get your flu vaccine if you haven’t already. Have questions? Visit the AAFA website for more information! aafa.org/flu

#FluShot #SleeveUp

How to Respond to Common Questions and Comments About the Flu Vaccine

Q: But I thought the flu vaccine contains egg? I’m not giving my child this vaccine when they have an egg allergy.

Reply: Most versions of the flu shot and nasal spray vaccines can contain a tiny amount of egg protein. But studies show that the amount is so small it is unlikely that you will have a severe allergic reactions to the vaccines if you have an egg allergy. There are also two vaccines that are egg free.

The risk of complications from the flu are greater than the risk of an allergic reaction from the tiny amount of egg in the vaccine.

Q: Last time I got a flu shot, I got the flu!

Reply: You can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine. You might have some flu-like symptoms in the days after your flu vaccine. This is your immune system working to build antibodies against flu viruses.

Flu viruses are constantly changing and that can mean a new strain emerges after the flu vaccines are created each year. If this is the case, the flu vaccine can help protect you from severe illness if you do catch the flu.

Medical Review April 2021 by Sarah Goff, MD, PhD, and October 2021 by David Stukus, MD