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鈥淚 don鈥檛 want a flu shot because it can make me get the flu.鈥�

鈥淔lu shots are only for kids or the elderly.鈥�

鈥淭here鈥檚 no proof flu shots actually work.鈥�

You鈥檝e heard it before. Maybe you鈥檝e said these things yourself (we speak from experience, here). Whether you are anti-flu vaccine or the first person in line to get one for the upcoming season鈥攖here are some strong opinions out there about the effectiveness of flu shots. But should you be worrying? When it comes to flu shots鈥�the truth is out there!

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The flu vaccines contain flu viruses that have been 鈥渋nactivated鈥� and are no longer infectious, or the vaccination contains no virus at all. The flu shot can, however, cause side effects such as soreness, redness, and tenderness around the injection site. You may also experience a low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches. Some people do experience mild reactions that last a couple of days.

So鈥�should I get a flu shot?

Absolutely. The CDC recommends getting a flu shot 鈥渇or just about everyone 6 months and older,鈥� even if the vaccination has not changed in the past year. Why? Because over time, your vaccination鈥檚 effectiveness declines. To keep yourself optimally protected from the nasty flu bug, getting a shot every year is your best bet. If you鈥檙e lucky, you might get a sticker or a free healthy snack after!

Flu shots aren鈥檛 just for the young, elderly or at-risk. They鈥檙e recommended for everyone, particularly if you work in a healthcare environment or in a school. In fact, sometimes your employer may require it. A  showed that flu vaccines significantly lowered a child鈥檚 risk of dying from influenza. Pregnant women are also encouraged to get vaccinated鈥攖he antibodies can pass on to their babies after they鈥檙e born, protecting them against the flu virus as well. Isn鈥檛 science amazing?

Another misconception about the flu vaccine is that you can only get one at the beginning of flu season (as early as October). While it is helpful to get vaccinated as early as possible, flu season can last until May! You can still arm yourself with protection against the flu as late as December鈥攖hough the vaccine takes a couple of weeks to reach its full effectiveness. Peak flu time is December through February. Now鈥檚 the time to get vaccinated!

You can still get influenza after getting a flu shot, but your chances are significantly lower. You may also suffer from another respiratory virus such as rhinovirus (the common cold)鈥攜our flu shot can鈥檛 help you with that one. There is also the chance that you catch a strain of the virus that does not 鈥渕atch鈥� the vaccine you received. But at the end of the day, empowering yourself with as much protection as possible from the flu is a no-brainer.

Lastly, there鈥檚 a rumor that flu shots hurt. We can鈥檛 confirm or deny this. But we can confirm that you are never too old for a 鈥渂rave present,鈥� such as a lollipop or animal sticker. So what are you waiting for? Go get that flu shot!