Four strains or three? This is the first year that a flu shot has been made available that protects against four strains of influenza. The added strain is a B-type flu that mostly causes illness in young children, but the shot costs a bit more and probably won’t be everywhere. Get the “tried and true” three-strain if it’s all that’s available.
Needle-free options. The nasal-spray vaccine known as FluMist—used primarily for very young children—will protect against four strains this year. Adults who dislike big needles can ask for a Fluzone Intradermal, whose ultrathin needles only go skin deep.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
