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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