In addition, when you skip your shot you can still carry and pass flu germs to others. Flu strains evolve and change over time, which means you are at risk every year you avoid getting vaccinated. Late protection is better than no protection at all! Myth #4: I don’t need the vaccine, I never get the fluįact: Unfortunately, a flu-free history does not guarantee a flu-free future.
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Influenza season can often last well into May. But it’s never too late to get your shot – even in January. When is it too late to get a flu shot?įlu shots are typically available by early September – well before the traditional flu season begins – through March. Pregnant women – particularly those in their third trimester – should receive a flu shot as soon as the vaccine becomes available. While getting your flu shot as soon as the vaccine is available offers the best protection, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated by the end of October. How long does it take for the flu shot to take effect? Two weeks – which is another reason to schedule your flu shot early. But immunity isn’t built as soon as you get the shot. This also leaves you exposed for weeks, or months while the virus is floating around.Īlso, an annual flu shot helps your body build immunity for the types of influenza viruses that research indicates will be the most common that season. Some believe that getting vaccinated later will protect them longer, which is simply false. Myth #3: Waiting until winter for a flu shot is saferįact: While peak flu season is between December and February, you can get sick as early as October. This means that even if you had your shot last year, you’ll need on this year as well. Plus, the flu shot is effective for about six months, which is the length of flu season. So, one of the most important things you should know about the flu vaccine is that it too changes every year, based on this research. And every year, the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) perform rigorous testing to determine which strains of influenza pose the highest threats globally. Myth #2: You don’t need to get a flu shot every yearįact: There are a lot of influenza viruses out there.
This antibody creation is what can spur side effects, as well as get your body ready for a possible exposure to an active virus. That’s because even though the flu vaccine contains inactive virus, your immune system still recognizes it as an intruder and creates antibodies. The mild symptoms you might experience after getting vaccinated are an immune response, not the signs of an illness. Are you “contagious” after a flu shot if you experience side effects? Flu symptom onset is fast and often involves fever, chills, extreme fatigue, muscle aches and more for several days.
#Side effects of flu shot full#
On the other hand, many experience no flu shot reactions at all! Plus, a day or two of mild discomfort simply doesn’t compare to what you can experience with a full bout of the flu. You may also run a small fever, or experience slight headaches or muscle aches. The most common flu shot side effects include mild soreness, tenderness or a bit of swelling at the injection site. So, the answer to questions like “Can you get the flu from the flu shot?” “Can the flu shot make you sick?” or “Is the flu vaccine a live virus?” is a definite no.īut for some, the flu shot does come with mild side effects that can easily be mistaken for early flu-like symptoms. Myth #1: You can get the flu from the flu shotįact: The flu shot does not contain an active virus. So, if you’re wondering, “Should I get the flu shot,” take a look below at some of the most common flu myths versus the facts you need to know. And getting your flu shot is the best way to make that happen. I think we can all agree keeping ourselves – and our community – healthy during the long flu season should be a top priority. That’s why I care so deeply about separating flu shot myth from flu shot fact. New and scary flu shot myths spread quickly, just like the flu does. But annual flu shots also help prevent millions from getting sick – and that’s a fact.Īccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC), 2019-2020 flu vaccinations helped prevent an estimated 7.5 million illnesses – plus, thousands of hospitalizations and deaths.īut there’s a lot of misinformation floating around out there. Influenza causes millions of illnesses in the United States every year. As crisp fall weather rolls in, there’s another change in the air.
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