Can I get a flu shot with active rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages)?

Flu Vaccination with Rhinitis

Yes, you can safely get a flu shot while experiencing rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages). Minor illnesses, including mild upper respiratory infections or allergic rhinitis, are not contraindications to receiving influenza vaccination 1.

Safety of Vaccination with Rhinitis

• Mild upper respiratory tract infections or allergic rhinitis are explicitly stated as not being contraindications to influenza vaccination 1
• Only moderate-to-severe febrile illness, based on clinical judgment, warrants postponing vaccination until resolution 1
• For intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), significant nasal congestion that would impede vaccine delivery into the nasal passages is a consideration, but not for injectable influenza vaccines 1

Guidelines for Different Vaccine Types

For Injectable Influenza Vaccines (IIV)

• Can be safely administered during rhinitis regardless of severity 1
• No special precautions needed beyond standard vaccination practices 1
• No need to wait for complete resolution of rhinitis symptoms 1

For Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV - nasal spray)

• Can be administered with mild rhinitis 1
• Should be deferred if nasal congestion would notably impede vaccine delivery into the nasopharyngeal mucosa 1
• Consider injectable vaccine instead if significant nasal congestion is present 1

Important Considerations

• The only true contraindications to influenza vaccination are:

  • Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to previous dose or vaccine component 1
  • Moderate-to-severe febrile illness (defer until resolution) 1

• History of Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of previous influenza vaccination is a precaution, not a contraindication 1

• Egg allergy is not a contraindication to receiving any influenza vaccine 1

Clinical Perspective on Rhinitis

• Rhinitis is characterized by nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and sometimes nasal itching 2, 3
• Can be allergic (IgE-mediated) or non-allergic in nature 3
• Allergic rhinitis may coexist with other respiratory conditions like asthma and sinusitis 4
• Proper treatment of rhinitis includes antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, or combination therapy depending on severity 3, 5

Conclusion

Having rhinitis should not delay your flu vaccination. The benefits of timely influenza vaccination outweigh any theoretical concerns about receiving the vaccine during mild respiratory symptoms 1. If using the nasal spray vaccine, significant nasal congestion might affect delivery, in which case the injectable vaccine would be preferred 1.