The Flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by influenza viruses and ranges in severity, where the most severe cases can lead to death. 

A vaccine for the flu became available in the U.S. in the 1940s, and it’s now updated every year for protection against new strains of the virus. Although this vaccine is the most effective way to prevent severe illness from the flu, there are many myths surrounding it that discourage people from getting vaccinated. 

Here, we’ll debunk five of the most common myths about the flu. These include:

The Vaccine Will Give Me the Flu.

The flu vaccine contains an inactivated virus. This means that you can’t get the flu from the vaccine. However, some people experience mild fever and body aches, which is the immune system’s reaction to the vaccine and typically subside within a day or two. 

Pregnant Women Shouldn’t Get the Vaccine. 

Many pregnant women have the misconception that it’s dangerous for them to get the flu vaccine, but this is a myth! Pregnant women should get the flu vaccine because it triggers the production of antibodies, which will be passed onto the unborn baby. These antibodies will protect the child against the flu vaccine while they’re too young to receive the vaccine themself. 

The Flu Vaccine Doesn’t Work Because I Got Vaccinated and Still Got the Flu. 

Since there are many flu viruses moving through a community at any one time, you can still get the flu even if you’ve been vaccinated. That being said, people who are vaccinated have a significantly lower chance of catching the illness.

If I Have an Egg Allergy, I Can’t Get the Flu Vaccine.

Patients with egg allergies are cleared to receive the flu shot, and are no longer required to be monitored for 30 minutes after the shot is administered. If you have a severe egg allergy, you should receive your flu shot in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting. 

The Flu Shot Can Have Serious Side Effects. 

Side effects from the flu shot are very rare, with Guillain-Barré Syndrome occurring in just one in a million patients. 

To learn more about the flu shot and protecting yourself against the illness, schedule an appointment at Florida Wellness Medical Group today!