FACES OF INFLUENZA (R) - American Lung Association's Influenza Prevention Program in collaboration with sanofi pasteur

Find Out What Is Myth and What Is Fact When It Comes to Influenza

Myth:
The flu is no more than a nuisance, much like the common cold. There is nothing you can do to help prevent it.

Fact:
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a severe and sometimes life-threatening disease. Influenza and its related complications cause an average of 36,000 deaths and approximately 226,000 hospitalizations in the US each year. You can avoid it by getting the flu shot every year. Influenza vaccination is a safe and effective way to help protect yourself and those around you each season.¹

Myth:
You can get the flu from the injectable vaccine.

Fact:
The injectable vaccine does not contain any of the live virus, so it is impossible to get the flu from the vaccine. Side effects may occur in some people, such as mild soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, or a low-grade fever, but these only last for a short while if they do occur. Influenza vaccination is the best protection against influenza and its complications.¹

Myth:
I’m not at risk for the flu.

Fact:
Influenza viruses infect millions of people every year. On average, approximately 226,000 Americans are hospitalized and about 36,000 die from influenza-related complications every single year.¹

Myth:
I missed the chance to get my flu shot in the fall, so now I have to wait until next year.

Fact:
Influenza vaccination typically begins in the fall and can continue through the spring. In most seasons, influenza virus activity doesn't peak until February or March—leaving many months to get a flu shot.¹ You can also click here to find a flu clinic near you.

Myth:
I don’t need to get a flu shot this year because I got one last year.

Fact:
The types of influenza viruses circulating in the community change often. Because of this, a new vaccine is made each year to help protect against the most current strains of influenza. You should get a flu shot every year.

Myth:
People shouldn't be immunized against the flu if they are sick.

Fact:
Minor illnesses with or without fever should not keep anyone from getting a flu shot, especially children with mild colds or allergies. In addition, people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, have a higher risk for getting the flu and for developing complications. These individuals should get their flu shot each year.

Individuals with severe allergies to eggs or those who have had a previous vaccine-associated allergic reaction should avoid immunization.¹ Talk to your health-care professional for more information.

Myth:
I seem to get the stomach flu each year. My friend told me the influenza vaccine might help prevent the stomach flu.

Fact:
The flu vaccine helps protect you against influenza, a serious respiratory disease, but not against viral gastroenteritis, which some people incorrectly call the stomach flu.¹

Myth:
If I receive a flu shot every year, I am also protected against pandemic flu.

Fact:
An annual influenza vaccination helps protect against yearly seasonal influenza, and is designed to help protect against the strains of influenza circulating that year. The seasonal influenza vaccine is not designed to help protect against pandemic flu. While there has been a recent focus on pandemic flu, seasonal influenza infection currently poses a far greater danger to Americans.¹

Myth:
The flu changes every year, so getting a flu shot will not help protect me from getting sick.

Fact:
Influenza viruses are unpredictable, and they can change each year. Getting vaccinated annually is the best way to help protect against influenza. Each year’s vaccine is designed to help protect against the strains of influenza circulating that year. Even in years when a vaccine strain does not match perfectly to a circulating strain, the vaccine will often offer some protection. This could mean milder illness or prevention of complications.¹¹ Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site to learn more.