Help Fight the Flu: 4 Myths about the Flu Vaccine Debunked

Authors: David Mulkey, DNP, RN, CPHQ, CCRN-K, CHSE & Adam Oderberg, PharmD

Flu season is upon us, and this year December 5-11 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses this week to emphasize the need for everyone 6 months and older to get their annual flu vaccine if they have not already. Flu remains a significant public health concern, and we need your help getting the word out that there is still time to get a flu vaccine to prevent flu illness and potentially serious complications. Did you know that people with certain chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications? During most seasons people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease, accounting for most flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from flu. Here are​ 4 Myths about the flu vaccine debunked:

Fact: The injected flu vaccine contains an inactivated virus that cannot give you influenza. It's common to experience some symptoms unrelated to the flu, such as tenderness or redness in the area where you received the shot. If you feel achy or feverish, or develop a runny nose, this is a normal reaction of the immune system to the vaccine, and generally lasts only a day or two.

Fact: The flu is a contagious disease and can lead to serious illness, including pneumonia, as well as hospitalization for otherwise healthy people. Healthy people also can spread the virus to others who are particularly susceptible, including newborn babies, senior citizens, and those with weakened immune systems. So far for the 2022-2023 influenza season, the state of Colorado has a very high flu activity rate. Since October 2, 2022, there have been 517 flu related hospitalizations. In addition, there has been a 90% increase in influenza-like illness patient visits reported by medical clinics.

Fact: Many people believe they have the flu but in fact are suffering from a different respiratory virus. It's also possible that you were exposed to influenza before the vaccine kicked in, or you came down with a strain of flu that wasn't included in that year's shot. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to start preventing flu. Nonetheless, vaccinated people who do get sick with flu normally experience milder symptoms than those who skip the shot.

Fact: To protect yourself and others from the flu, you must get the vaccine every year. That's because the vaccine becomes less effective over time and its formulation changes each year to protect against specific viruses circulating that season.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 24). Key facts about influenza. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm

Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. (2022). Colorado Flu and RSV Report. https://cdphe.colorado.gov/flu-rsv

World Health Organization. (2018, November 6). Influenza (seasonal). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)