7 flu vaccine myths, busted
Confused about who really needs to get an annual flu shot? Learn the facts behind some common flu vaccine myths.
You've probably heard a thing or two about the flu shot over the years. Maybe you've been told it can give you the flu, that healthy people don't need it, or that getting vaccinated later in the season isn't worth it.
The truth? There are plenty of misconceptions about the flu vaccine. Here, we're setting the record straight on seven common flu shot myths so you can make an informed decision about protecting yourself and those around you.
Myth #1: Healthy people don't need a flu shot.
Even if you're healthy, getting a flu shot is still important. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. Vaccination can help reduce your risk of illness and serious complications if you do get sick.
Getting vaccinated can also help protect people around you who may be more likely to experience severe illness from the flu.
Myth #2: The flu vaccine makes you sick.
A flu shot can't give you the flu. The injected flu vaccine contains an inactivated virus that cannot cause influenza, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes.
That said, some people may experience mild side effects after vaccination, such as aches or a low fever. These symptoms are a normal sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and typically last only a day or two.
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Myth #3: It's too late to get a flu shot in January.
Getting vaccinated in January can still help protect you from the flu and its complications. Flu season typically starts in October, peaks between December and February, and can last until May.
Experts at the Cleveland Clinic say it's ideal to get a flu shot in September or October before flu activity ramps up. But it's still worth getting vaccinated later in the season if you haven't already. It takes about two weeks for your body to build protection after vaccination, but influenza can continue circulating for months.
Myth #4: The flu vaccine only protects against one type of flu.
The flu shot is designed to protect against multiple influenza viruses. In fact, flu vaccines used in the United States are formulated to protect against three different influenza viruses, according to the CDC.
Every year, scientists around the world monitor which flu viruses are most likely to circulate during the upcoming season. They use that information to help determine which viruses the seasonal vaccine should target.
No vaccine is a perfect match because flu viruses are constantly changing. But even when circulating viruses differ from those included in the vaccine, vaccination can still help reduce your risk of illness and complications.
Myth #5: I got my flu shot last year, so I don't need one this year.
Just because you got a flu shot last year doesn't mean you're protected from the virus this year. Experts at the CDC explain that the flu vaccine is reviewed and updated each year to help protect against the flu viruses expected to be most common during the upcoming season.
There's another reason to roll up your sleeve each flu season: The benefits of the vaccine decrease over time. As a result, the protection you built from last year's shot may not last through the next flu season.
Myth #6: The flu isn't a serious illness.
The flu is more than just a bad cold. While most people recover without complications, influenza can sometimes lead to serious health problems and, in some cases, become life-threatening.
Older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with certain health conditions are at higher risk for complications, according to the Mayo Clinic. But even healthy people can become seriously ill from the flu.
Myth #7: You can't get other vaccines at the same time as a flu shot.
In most cases, you don't need to schedule separate appointments for your vaccinations. Most vaccines can be given during the same visit as long as they are administered in different parts of the body, or at least an inch apart, according to the CDC. This makes it easier to stay up to date on recommended immunizations.
If you're eligible, you can receive a flu vaccine alongside other seasonal vaccines, including COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. Another bonus: Getting multiple vaccines during one appointment can reduce the number of trips you make to the doctor's office or pharmacy.
Ready to get vaccinated? Log in to your member portal to find a doctor, pharmacy, or vaccination site near you.
See our sources:
Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Flu vaccine myths: The World Health Organization
Best time to get the flu vaccine: Cleveland Clinic
Influenza overview: Mayo Clinic
Getting multiple vaccines at once: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
