Answers to Common Questions About the Flu Vaccine
And Why You Should Get Vaccinated Against the Flu Every Year
Coach K gets his annual flu vaccine at Duke Health.
Getting an annual flu vaccine can protect you from getting sick, lessen the severity of the illness if you get the flu, and prevent you from spreading the highly contagious virus to others, especially people who are considered at high-risk for serious complications associated with respiratory illness. The same is true for vaccines for other respiratory viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID.
Many questions surround the flu vaccine, including why it's needed every year. Here, Cameron Wolfe, MD, a Duke Health infectious diseases specialist, explains what you need to know.
Why do I need to be vaccinated every year?
The flu vaccine changes every year to keep up as best it can with a changing flu strain. Getting a flu vaccine each year is your best chance for preventing the flu and reducing the severity of illness if you get sick. Remember, if you're over 65 years of age, a high-dose vaccine is likely appropriate for you.
Does the flu vaccine give you the flu?
The flu vaccine doesn't give you the flu because it does not contain a live virus. Most people don’t experience any illness. If you feel off, it means your immune system is responding to the vaccine. That feeling usually goes away within 24 hours. A small percentage of people may experience a sore shoulder or mild muscle aches near where they received their vaccination.
When should I get the flu vaccine?
It’s important to get your flu vaccination in early fall because that's when flu season starts. It takes 10 to 14 days for antibodies to develop and protect you, so it's best to get vaccinated in September or October.
If you get vaccinated in January, when flu season peaks, and you come into contact right away with someone who has influenza, your body doesn't have enough time to mount a sufficient response.
Can I still get the flu if I get the flu vaccine?
Scientists and public health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and organizations around the country work months ahead of each flu season to predict what needs to go into a flu vaccine. Even though the match may not be perfect, data show a vaccine still stimulates antibodies to protect you. While you may still get the flu, chances are it will be milder, less likely to pass it on to other people, and you will recover faster.
Why don't I just take my chances getting the flu rather than getting vaccinated?
Your body will make antibodies against the seasonal flu if you get it, but you may also be the rare person who gets a very severe case of the flu. There’s no chance you’ll get severe flu from a vaccine. That’s especially important to consider as we get older.
It’s also important to remember that if you contract the flu, you could pass it on to your friends, family, or coworkers. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and the people around you.