According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 may both be spreading this flu season. While there’s not a vaccine for COVID-19 yet, there is one for the flu. The CDC believes getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever.
There’s a lot of confusion out there about the flu vaccine, so we’d like to squash these 4 common myths.
Myth 1: You can get the flu from the flu vaccine.
Every year, some people choose not to get a seasonal flu vaccine because they may have heard you can get the flu from the flu vaccine. That’s not true. In fact, doctors strongly recommend getting the flu vaccine because it’s the single best way to help protect yourself from the flu.
Myth 2: The flu vaccine causes strong side effects.
The flu vaccine does not cause harmful side effects. And it doesn’t interact with other medications, so you don’t have to worry about changing your medication routine.1
Myth 3: The flu vaccine isn’t safe for older adults.
The flu vaccine is safe, simple and a smart choice. In fact, the flu vaccine is especially important if you’re 65 or older because older adults are at higher risk for serious flu complications, which could result in a hospital stay.1
Myth 4: It’s not worth it to get the flu vaccine if you’ve already been exposed to the flu germs.
Even if you do come down with the flu, the vaccine may help lessen the severity of your flu symptoms and reduce complications.1 |
