01/08/2026
FLU SHOT MYTHS VS FACTSππ·
"The flu vaccine can give me the flu" -FALSE. The standard flu vaccine contains inactivated virus particles, which can't cause an infection. Any symptoms experienced (like a sore arm, low-grade fever, or body aches) are a mild, short-lived immune response as your body builds protection
"I got the shot and still got sick, so it doesn't work" -FALSE. It did work, just maybe not 100%. This can happen for 3 reasons: 1) you caught a different, non-flu virus, like a cold. 2) You were exposed to the flu before the vaccine had time to take full effect, which takes about two weeks. 3) The virus strain circulating that season was a different strain than the one in the vaccine, though the vaccine often still reduces the severity
"I'm young and healthy, so I don't need the vaccine" -FALSE. Everyone 6 months and old is recommended to get the vaccine. Healthy people can still get very sick and spread the virus to vulnerable people
"I got it last year, so I'm covered for this year" -FALSE. You need a flu shot ever year. The virus changes very quickly and a new vaccine is formulated annually to match the strains predicted to be most common. Also, your body's immune protections from the vaccine fades over time
"It's better to wait until flu season peaks" -FALSE. The best time to get vaccinated is as soon as the vaccine becomes available in the early fall. It takes TWO WEEKS to build immunity
"The flu is just a bad cold" -FALSE. It is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can lead to severe complications.
All medical facts in this post are from www.health.harvard.edu
βHelpful hygiene tips:
-Wash hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
-Avoid touching your face
-Use a tissue or an elbow, NOT your hand, when coughing or sneezing
-Regularly disinfect high touch areas
-Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, especially during high transmission periods
-Stay home when you are sick
Send a message to learn more