Ditch The Myth: “The Flu Vaccine Gave Me the Flu”
The Myth Explained
Every flu season, you’ll hear someone say, “I got the flu shot and then I got sick—it must have given me the flu.” While it might sound convincing, this belief is a myth. The flu vaccine cannot infect you with the influenza virus.
Why the Flu Vaccine Cannot Give You the Flu
- No live virus: Flu shots are made with either inactivated (killed) virus or a single protein from the flu virus. Neither form can cause infection.
- Timing is misleading: It takes about two weeks for your body to build protection. If you’re exposed before then, you might still get sick—but that’s coincidence, not causation.
- Side effects vs. illness: Mild side effects like a sore arm, low-grade fever, or muscle aches are signs your immune system is responding, not that you have the flu.
What’s Really Happening When You Feel Sick After the Shot?
If you feel under the weather after your vaccine, it could be due to:
- Exposure to a cold or another virus around the same time
- Your immune system working hard to build protection
- Coincidental timing of an unrelated illness
Why Busting This Myth Matters
Believing that the flu vaccine “gives you the flu” discourages people from getting protected. The reality is flu shots reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications—especially important for children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.
Bottom Line
The flu shot cannot give you the flu. What it can give you is protection, peace of mind, and a safer flu season for your family and community.