Can the flu vaccine give you the flu?

Here’s a quick fact ➡️ The flu shot can’t give you the flu!🙅🏽‍♀️🤧

Flu vaccines are made with inactivated (killed) viruses or, in some cases, just a single protein from the flu virus. These components are not capable of causing illness. However, some people may experience mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, or muscle aches, which can be mistaken for flu symptoms but are much less severe.

In the case of the nasal spray flu vaccine, it contains a weakened form of the virus that cannot cause the flu either, though it can trigger mild symptoms like a runny nose or sore throat. Of note, I always opt for a flu vaccine injection over the nasal mist unless of course a child has extreme needle phobia in which case a nasal mist is better than nothing.

When people get the actual flu immediately after the flu vaccine, they were likely exposed to someone who just happened to have it. This is going to be more common when flu is actively circulating. That’s why it’s best to get the flu vaccine now or before Halloween before flu season begins.

*Seasonality is hard to predict especially since the pandemic where I’ve been seeing Flu in JUNE, but getting the vaccine now if you have not is a great time.*

Have you heard this idea that the flu vaccine can give you the flu? Or any other myths surrounding the flu vaccine? Hopefully this myth is becoming less and less common but curious what this community has heard!

[sickmade]

I definitely get sick every time from the vaccine.

[hg-hl]

As someone going into medicine, It’s really unfortunate that people don’t know how vaccines work…

[augustt.]

So, can you explain how the vaccine actually works?

[leannalucas]

I got sick EVERY SINGLE TIME I got the shot. I’m a nurse. I haven’t had the flu shot in seven years now and haven’t had the flu in seven years. Is that a coincidence?

[Wendyroo]

My cousin died from the flu. 32 years old and healthy, left behind a wife and two little boys. I will always get a flu shot.

[kidatheart]

Why do I feel like crap after getting the flu shot ?

[susanwolski]

I fight this false idea every flu shot season. People who believe it, are not able to understand why it is not possible and will continue to believe it. I’ll keep educating.

[frozenninja]

Which is totally BS I haven't had a flu shot in like 12 years and fell better than ever and never gotten sick other than a stomach bug

[bethanywillis]

Bull crap!! And every year I have gotten the flu shot I have gotten the flu!! And I always feel like absolute crap for a week after i get it. So you may think you know but you don’t know my body.