Myth: The Flu Vaccine Can Give You the Flu

A commonly held belief is that the flu vaccine can cause the flu, leading some people to avoid getting vaccinated. This myth arises from the fact that flu vaccines can cause mild side effects, such as fever, fatigue, or soreness at the injection site, which are often mistaken for the flu itself. Because people believe that the flu vaccine contains live virus, they assume it can cause the illness, despite health experts repeatedly clarifying the facts.

The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. The flu vaccine contains either an inactivated (killed) virus or a weakened version of the virus, which cannot cause the illness. The symptoms people experience after vaccination are typically mild side effects, such as a low-grade fever or sore arm, which are common responses to any vaccine as the body builds immunity. These side effects are usually short-lived and much less severe than the flu itself. The flu vaccine works by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognize and fight the flu virus if exposed in the future. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu vaccine is the best defense against the flu and its complications. While no vaccine is 100% effective, getting vaccinated reduces the severity and duration of illness, and it helps protect the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. It’s essential to address this myth and encourage vaccination to prevent the spread of flu and reduce healthcare burdens each flu season.