Note: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic. However, ALL opinions are my own.
Before my trip to India I went and got a Flu shot. If it wasn’t for my trip, I probably wouldn’t have gotten my flu shot because I believed some of the “myths” that are circulating around out there.
Just in case you may have heard some Flu shot myths, I thought it would be helpful to share what they are and the truth about each one.
Flu Shot Myths Debunked
Myth: I’ve heard you can get sick from a flu shot.
Truth: It’s actually impossible, since the vaccine is made from an inactivated (dead!) virus, so it cannot give you the flu. If you get flu-like symptoms after getting your flu shot, it’s likely that you were exposed to the flu after you got vaccinated but before the vaccine took effect, which can be up to two weeks.
*The only real side effect of the flu vaccine might be soreness or redness where the shot was administered!
Myth: I only need to be vaccinated once.
Truth: A new flu vaccine is developed each year to fight the strains that are most likely to be prevalent for the season, so it’s important to get your flu shot each year.
Myth: People start getting sick once cold weather hits, so it’s too early to get my shot.
Truth: The CDC recommends to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available, ideally by October (outbreaks can happen before Halloween). It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in your body to provide protection, so it’s not too soon.
I have no time for the Flu so I am glad I got my flu shot. I’m sure having the flu doesn’t fit into your busy schedule either, so learn more about the flu: www.cdc.gov/flu and MinuteClinic’s vaccination offerings at: http://bit.ly/ZQZVDn
Ready to get your Flu shot? Head on over to CVS MinuteClinic
