Q: I’ve heard that you the flu shot can give you the flu. Is that true?
A: Definitely not! This is one of the most pervasive and frustrating medical myths out there. The flu shot contains only dead virus so there is no way it can infect you.
It is possible that the shot can induce an immune response that gives you flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches or a low grade fever, but nothing compared to getting the actual flu. If you do get the flu after a flu shot, it is likely that you were exposed to the flu or another illness before getting the shot, since it takes about 2 weeks after your shot for full immunity to develop. The flu vaccine doesn’t guarantee 100% protection; it is always possible to catch a strain of the flu not included in the vaccine.
Certain people who are at especially high risk of complications from the flu definitely need to get vaccinated every year, but the flu shot is available to anyone who wants to avoid getting the flu.
You can find information on getting the flu vaccine at OSU Student Health Services here.
Angela Walker, Med IV (Ohio State College of Medicine)
John A. Vaughn, MD (Ohio State Student Health Services)
Reviewed by Tina Comston, M.Ed. (Ohio State Student Health Services)