Member: I’ve heard so many different things about getting a flu shot. Some say you need to get it, some say it’s optional, and some say you could even get sick from it. I’m not sure what to believe. Please help! —Chantel, Marshall
Doctor: Well you’re certainly right about one thing, Chantel, there is no shortage of information—and misinformation—on influenza shots. And with “flu season” right around the corner (which can last from as early as October to as late as May), it’s the right time to start thinking about your vaccination. Let’s debunk the top flu shot myths.
Myth #1: I will catch the flu if I get a flu vaccination.
TRUTH: The vaccine is made from inactive strains of the virus, so it cannot cause the flu. It can cause light muscle soreness and cold-like symptoms for several days after the vaccination, which can be mistaken for the flu.
Myth #2: I got a flu shot last year so I don’t need one this year.
TRUTH: You should get a flu shot every year. The flu vaccine is developed about six to nine months prior to flu season because the strains change each year. After vaccination, it takes your body about two weeks to build up antibodies, so you should get a flu shot as soon as it’s available.
Myth #3: I got a flu shot and I still got the flu, so the vaccine didn’t work.
TRUTH: If you get the flu after a vaccination, you were likely exposed to it prior to vaccination, or it is a different strain. Vaccine developers do their best to predict the season’s strains, but the virus is always changing. If you get a flu shot and still contract the illness, the vaccination can help decrease the severity of symptoms.
Myth #4: Since I’m over age 65, I no longer need an annual flu shot.
TRUTH: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 71 and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in individuals age 65 and older, and flu-related hospitalizations occur more often among that age group. So, it is actually critical to get an annual flu shot if you are 65 or older. Flu vaccines are offered in a variety of convenient locations such as doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and health clinics. Make sure to talk to your doctor for more information