FLU SHOT: Fact or Fiction

Facts

• Influenza is highly contagious and is spread by person to person contact.
• The best way to protect yourself against influenza is to get a flu shot.
• The vaccine is about 70-80% effective in preventing the flu and can reduce the symptoms, side effects and length of illness, if the flu is actually contracted.
• The flu vaccine is considered safe during pregnancy (but always check with your doctor).

Fiction

• The flu vaccine causes the flu. Actually, the virus in the vaccine is dead and cannot cause the flu. You may not feel good for a couple of days after the vaccine because your system is responding and building protection for you.
• I never get the flu, so I don’t need a flu shot. About 20% of the population gets the flu every year.
• I got the shot last year and still go the flu. The Influenza vaccine prevents the flu, which is a severe respiratory disease. There are still several other respiratory viruses that can make you sick. Some people think any cough or cold symptoms are the flu, actually they may not be.
• I got a shot last, so I don’t need one this year. Your antibodies wear out within a few months and each year the vaccine changes to match what is thought to be the most common viruses. You need a new shot each year.