(CBS) -- Philippe Krakowsky gets his flu shot every year, but he does say it leaves his arm sore for a few days afterward.
If the thought of a needle makes you wince, you may want to choose a new, less painful option this year. It's called called Fluzone intradermal and is a thinner needle that doesn't have to penetrate as deeply.
Dr. Jahangir Rahman from Columbia University tells us, "The shot that we gave before goes into the muscle itself. This one goes into the skin, as opposed to the muscle. The benefit is supposed to be that it hurts less and more people will be willing to get the vaccine"
Krakowsky decided he would give the new shot a try. "Much better, barely felt it at all," he tells us.
The thinner needle has a smaller dose of flu vaccine. But it still gives the same protection and unlike traditional flu shots. Arm soreness lasts a few hours versus a few days.
Another patient Ted Scull isn't complaining. "Instead of having a needle that you know is going deeply into you, this was like a little prick."
He also says a little discomfort is worth keeping the flu away. "It can be a very serious health hazard if you're older and you don't know how badly you're going to get it."
It's recommended that everyone over 6 months old get a flu vaccine. Right now, the new needle option is only available for adults 18 to 65.
Clearly, the vaccine is your best weapon in the upcoming flu season. But there are basic infection-control measures we can all take.
- Don't go to work or school if you don't fell well.
- Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizers through out the day.
- Try to avoid touching your nose and mouth all the time- that's the best way to give influenza a shot at spreading to you.