Getting your flu shot each year is the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness and protect the people around you. UC San Diego Health
Flu season is here — and so are common questions about the flu vaccine. Can the flu shot make you sick? Do healthy people really need it? Can you get the flu from vaccination?
With so much misinformation floating around, it's natural to feel unsure. Here are answers to 11 of the most common questions about flu (also called influenza) and vaccines, so you can make informed choices to protect yourself, your family and your community.
1. Can the flu shot give me the flu?
No. The flu shot is made from an inactivated virus that can't cause the flu. It takes about one to two weeks after vaccination to build immunity.
If you get sick shortly after getting vaccinated, it's likely you were exposed before your body developed protection. The flu shot can still help protect you from severe illness, hospitalization or death caused by the flu.
2. What are common side effects of the flu shot?
While the flu shot can't give you the flu, some of the side effects may feel similar. Most side effects are usually mild and last a short time. Common side effects from a flu shot include muscle aches, low-grade fever and soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site.
3. Do healthy people need to get a flu shot?
Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against the flu — even if they are healthy — with rare exceptions. That's because influenza is a highly contagious disease and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and hospitalization, even in otherwise healthy people.
4. Is the flu just a bad cold?
No. The flu and the common cold share some symptoms, but they are caused by different viruses. Flu symptoms are usually more severe and come on suddenly. Colds tend to be milder and rarely cause serious health problems. The flu can lead to complications, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalization.
5. Do I need to get the flu shot every year?
Yes. The flu virus changes frequently, and vaccines are developed and updated each year to match the strains expected to circulate that flu season. Your body's immunity from the vaccine also decreases over time, so annual vaccination is the best way to stay protected.
6. Does the flu vaccine really work?
Yes. Effectiveness can vary depending on your age, health and how well the vaccine matches circulating strains. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to prevent the flu. Even if you get sick after being vaccinated, the flu shot can reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalization or death caused by the flu.
7. Is it safe to get the flu shot during pregnancy?
Yes. The CDC recommends that all pregnant women get vaccinated against the flu. Expecting moms are at a higher risk for serious complications from influenza. Getting the flu shot while pregnant also helps protect your baby for several months after birth.
8. What are the best ways for preventing the flu?
The flu shot is your best defense against influenza, but you can take additional steps to stay healthy:
- Wash your hands frequently and clean frequently touched surfaces.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick or coughing and sneezing.
- If you are sick, wear a mask to help protect others.
9. Can I get the flu from going out in cold weather without a coat or with wet hair?
No. The only way to catch the flu is by being exposed to the influenza virus. Flu season coincides with the cold weather, so people mistakenly associate the flu with cold weather, even though they are not related.
The flu spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces. You can catch it by breathing in droplets when someone coughs, sneezes or talks, or by touching surfaces with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
10. Can antibiotics treat the flu?
No. Antibiotics fight bacterial infections but don't work against viral infections, like the flu. However, a flu infection can lead to bacterial infections. If your symptoms don't improve or get worse, contact your doctor.
11. Is it too late to get the flu shot after the fall?
No. While early fall — at the start of the flu season — is the best time to get vaccinated, it's never too late. Flu activity often peaks in winter and can last into late spring, so getting the shot later can still help protect you.
Flu Shots Available for UC San Diego Health patients
Make an appointment to receive the flu vaccine at a location convenient for you. It’s available at UC San Diego Health primary care clinics, Express Care clinics and some pharmacies.
