5 Common Myths About the Flu Shot

This is by far the biggest and most talked about myth about the flu shot. It is simply not true. The argument made is always the same, someone knows someone who got the flu right after they received the flu shot. This is pure coincidence. Check out this article about last year's flu epidemic.

FALSE. According to the CDC, "...[T]he vaccine is made either with a) flu viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ (killed) and that therefore are not infectious, or b) using only a single gene from a flu virus (as opposed to the full virus) in order to produce an immune response without causing infection."

According to the Mayo Clinic, unfortunately even if you do get your flu shot there is a chance you will get the flu. "It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to take full effect." This means if you come in contact with the virus in that time you may just contract influenza. There are many strains of flu that vary year by year, this means doctors must predict to the best of their ability which strains they must create the vaccine for. The vaccine does not protect against all strains. However, the flu shot is still your best line of defense against the virus.

This couldn't be more inaccurate. The CDC actually places a higher importance on pregnant women to receive the flu shot. According to an article published by the CDC, "A number of studies have shown that in addition to helping to protect pregnant women, a flu vaccine given during pregnancy helps protect the baby from flu infection for several months after birth, when he or she is not old enough to be vaccinated."

Back in 2012 a study was published stating "...[T]hat influenza vaccination might make people more susceptible to other respiratory infections." However, after that study was published experts looked into the idea further and found that this was not the case. They discovered, "...[I]nfluenza vaccination does not, in fact, make people more susceptible to other respiratory infections."