6 Flu Shot Myths You Shouldn’t Believe (2 of 4)

Myth #2: You Can Get the Flu From the Vaccine Itself

This is a huge myth that a lot of folks believe. They think they’re literally being injected with the flu and all of the nasty things that come with the virus. But in reality, the vaccine contains an inactive virus, which means you absolutely will not get sick from getting the shot. Although feeling a bit yucky for a day post-vaccine happens, this is your immune system doing exactly what it was designed to do, and is far better than the symptoms you’d experience if you caught the flu itself. Note that you aren’t immediately protected when you get the shot; it takes around two weeks for the antibodies to kick in.

Myth #3: The Flu Shot Increases Your Risk of Getting COVID-19

There is zero evidence that getting the flu shot leaves you more susceptible to COVID-19. This rumor likely started as a result of a study published in the January 2020 edition of Vaccine, which seemed to find a link between the flu vaccine and four types of common coronaviruses (although not COVID-19 itself). But regardless, multiple additional studies were unable to replicate these results. In fact, a study published in the October 2020 edition of “Clinical Infectious Diseases” found no link at all. The truth is, the flu shot neither increases or decreases the odds of contracting COVID-19.