Less painful flu shot - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- There's a new type of flu vaccine for people who don't like needles.

It's called Fluzone Intradermal.

Health officials say the needle is 90% smaller than the needles for regular flu shots.

It's injected into the skin instead of the muscle and uses less antigen.

That means it's not as painful.

Like all flu vaccines, the intradermal vaccine is made to protect against the three flu viruses that research suggests will be most common for the season.

It's proven to be just as effective as other vaccination types.

The vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in adults 18 through 64 years of age.

The regular flu shot continues to be an option for people 6 months and older, and the nasal spray vaccine is available for non-pregnant, healthy people ages 2 to 49.

Common side effects to the intradermal flu shot included redness, swelling, toughness, pain, and itching at the injection site.

Click here for flu facts and to find a location to get a flu vaccine near you.