FLU VACCINEMYTHS & FACTS

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Get the facts to keep you and your loved ones flu-free.

Many people avoid getting a flu shot

because misinformation steers them away

from this important annual preventive

vaccine. Considering up to 20 percent of

the population contracts influenza (flu)

every year, getting a flu shot makes good

health sense.1

“I don’t need a flu shot because...”

Fact:

Myth: “The flu isn’t that serious...”

Many people are unaware that influenza,

the flu, is a serious disease. According

to the CDC, each year more than

200,000 people are hospitalized from flu

complications, with approximately 36,000

flu-related deaths.2

Flu symptoms, which include fever,

headaches, cough, sore throat, nasal

congestion, extreme tiredness and body

aches, can disrupt your work, school and

social life for up to two weeks.3

The flu is highly contagious and can easily

be passed from a low-risk individual to

a high-risk individual, which can then

lead to serious complications, including

pneumonia and worsening of chronic

conditions.3

Fact:

Myth:“ I got the vaccine and still got the

flu so it must not be effective…”

The vaccine prevents the flu in

approximately 70 to 90 percent of

healthy people under the age of 65.

The effectiveness of the vaccine is

subject to variables such as age and

health status, as well as the match

between virus strains in the vaccine

and virus strains in circulation.5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fact:

Myth:“ If I get the vaccine, it might

give me the flu...”

A flu vaccination will not give you the

flu. This is one of the biggest myths

surrounding a flu shot. The virus in

injectable influenza vaccine has been

inactivated, making it biologically

unable to cause illness.4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Influenza is a contagious respiratory

disease caused by flu viruses, and it can

cause mild to severe illness. At times

it can lead to death. The simple fact is

that the best way to prevent the flu is

to get a flu vaccine each year to protect

yourself and those you love.

“How can I help prevent the flu?”

Fact:

Myth: “ I never get the flu…”

Influenza strains change every year,

which means that even if you had a

natural immunity to previous strains, your

immunity may not protect you from each

year’s new circulating strains.6

Fact:

Myth: “ I’ll take my chances…”

Unfortunately, getting the flu means also

becoming a carrier. Since the flu is highly

contagious, with symptoms starting one

to four days after the virus enters the

body, even the most conscientious

individuals may unknowingly spread

the virus.7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Who should be vaccinated?”

Anyone who doesn’t want to be sick with

the flu, or spread the virus to others,

should get a flu shot every year.

Fact:

Myth:“ I got a vaccine last year so

I don’t need one this year...”

Because influenza strains change each

year, you can not count on last year’s

vaccine to protect you this year.6

Fact:

Myth: “ I’m too late...”

While October and November are the

recommended months for vaccination,

getting a flu shot later in the season

(December–March) can still protect you

as flu season often peaks after January.2

The flu vaccine is for anyone who

doesn’t want to be sick with the flu,

or inadvertently spread the virus to

others if they become infected.

CDC recommends these groups be

vaccinated each year:2

+ Children aged 6 months up

to their 19th birthday

+ Pregnant women

+ People 50 years of age and older

+ People of any age with certain

chronic medical conditions

+ People who live in nursing homes

and other long-term care facilities

+ People who live with or care for

those at high risk for complications

from flu, including:

•Healthcareworkers

•Householdcontactsofpersons

at high risk for complications

from the flu

•Householdcontactsandout-of-

home caregivers of children less

than 6 months of age (these

children are too young to be

vaccinated)

Fact:

Fact:

Myth:“ The flu vaccine is only necessary

for the old and very young...”

The flu is preventable.

Be sure to get vaccinated to keep

you and your loved ones flu-free!

FLU VACCINEMYTHS & FACTS

References

1 Influenza: The Disease www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm Accessed July 2009.

2 Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu) www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm Accessed July 2009.

3 Influenza Symptoms www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm. Accessed July 2009.

4 Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm Accessed July 2009.

5 Questions & Answers: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm Accessed July 2009.

6 HowTheFluVirusCanChange www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/change.htm Accessed July 2009.

7 SeasonalFlu:HowFluSpreads www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm Accessed July 2009.

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