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- The flu vaccine does not contain live virus so it can not give your child the flu.
- It is given once a year by injection to the upper outer area of the arm and it takes only seconds. It should not be painful, but some children may be apprehensive about having injections.
- Possible mild side effects include pain, swelling and redness at the injection site, also occasionally slight fever, shivering, headache and aching muscles.
- These symptoms usually disappear within one to two days without any treatment.