What's true about the flu

As the flu season fast approaches, it’s a good time to look at these myths and debunk them.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting your annual flu vaccination is the single most important step you can take to reduce your risk of catching the flu virus. However, thousands of people skip out on getting a flu shot every year because of common misconceptions about the flu.

Myth 1: The flu shot will make me and my family sick.

Truth: According to the CDC, no form of the flu vaccine will give you or your family the flu. Some people do have mild symptoms after receiving the vaccine, which is normal. These symptoms may last a few hours or up to a day, but it’s not flu illness. Everyone six months or older should get the flu shot, but it’s especially important for young children and adults 65 years and older. After you receive the shot, it can take about two weeks for the body to build up protection against flu viruses.

Myth 2: I don’t need a flu shot if I’ve had the flu.

Truth: Viruses that cause the flu change every year. The strain of flu you caught last year won’t be the same as the one you’d catch this year. Likewise, last year’s vaccine won’t work on this year’s strains. With certain viruses, a vaccine can protect you for much longer periods. But that’s just not the case for the flu virus. Additionally, if you’ve gotten your COVID-19 shot, you still need the flu shot to protect yourself against the flu.

Myth 3: The flu shot only protects against a limited number of strains, so there’s no point in getting one.

Truth: It’s still critical to get the flu shot. While it’s true that the flu shot only protects against a limited number of strains, they’re the most common strains expected for the current flu season, as determined by extensive, ongoing research conducted by the CDC. Learn more(Opens in a new tab) about the different flu strains.

Myth 4: The flu is the same as a bad cold.

Truth: Flu symptoms, such as a sore throat, runny nose, and cough, can be similar to a bad cold, but the flu virus is much more dangerous than the common cold. According to the CDC(Opens in a new tab) , the flu caused 14 million medical visits, 360,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths during the 2022-2023 flu season. Getting a flu shot helps prevent getting the flu and decreases the chance of severe symptoms if you do get it.

Myth 5: I am in good health, so I don’t need a flu shot.

Truth: Anyone can catch the flu, even people who are feeling healthy and have no health issues. Healthy people who catch the flu can still end up in bed for a week, or miss time from work.

If you catch the flu, you can spread it to young children, older adults or those with serious underlying medical conditions. The flu can be very detrimental for these vulnerable populations. The CDC recommends annual flu shots for everyone older than six months of age, including those who are pregnant.