Flu Shot FAQs

Flu season is just around the corner and you may be wondering if you should get the vaccine. People often avoid getting a flu shot because there are so many questions and misconceptions about it. Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?

Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year.

An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through the community.

Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses. For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated annually.

When should I get vaccinated?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue throughout the flu season, even into January or later.

Can I get the flu from a flu shot?

No, the vaccine cannot cause the flu. The flu vaccines contain flu viruses that have been “inactivated” and are no longer infectious, or the vaccination contains no virus at all. The flu shot can, however, cause side effects such as soreness, redness, and tenderness around the injection site. You may also experience a low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches. Some people do experience mild reactions that last a couple of days.

Can I get a flu shot if I am pregnant?

Yes, the CDC recommends pregnant women get the flu shot to protect both the mother and her baby from the flu. However, the nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for woman who are pregnant.

Can the flu shot increase or decrease my risk of getting COVID-19?

No. Although Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. There is not an FDA-approved vaccine for COVID-19 at this time. However, they do share similar symptoms which may make it difficult to tell the difference. To learn more, the CDC outlines the similarities and differences between Influenza and COVID-19.