By Dr Clare Brehmer
Can you get the flu from the flu vaccine? One of our junior doctors looks to see if there is any truth behind some of the many flu vaccine myths.
As flu season starts I have heard more and more of the same rumours circulating again about the flu vaccine: “It gives you flu”, “Last year I had the flu vaccine and it made me feel terrible!”, “I heard the more you have it the more tolerant you become – so it’s not as effective.” And even I must admit, in the years when I wasn’t working in the NHS, I didn’t bother getting the flu vaccine from a pharmacy.
But this year I was offered the flu vaccination through work, so I decided to do some digging and this is what I found out:
It’s physically impossible to get the flu from the flu vaccine
The vaccine doesn’t even contain live virus. Some people feel slightly achy in their muscles but this is just the body mounting an immune response.
Pregnant women can be vaccinated at any time
And your baby gets a free-ride for up to 6 months after birth! One study in the US found that vaccinating pregnant women was 92% effective at preventing 0-1 year olds being admitted to hospital with flu. Until I read this 5 minutes ago I thought pregnant women could only have the vaccination after 12 weeks, but that’s not true!
You cannot build up tolerance to the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is for a different strain of flu every year. It’s a lot of work for scientists and healthcare staff every year to protect everyone against the new strain.
You shouldn’t get the vaccine if you’re allergic to eggs
This is because it could cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. However, if you’re not allergic to eggs the risk of having a reaction to the vaccine is less than 1 in a million.
The people who benefit most from your vaccination are your closest family and friends
Your grandparents, your babies, your friends and family with illnesses such as cancer and diabetes are less likely to get flu when everyone around them has had the flu vaccine.
And finally..
The flu vaccine is FREE to many
All social care staff working in a care home, registered nursing home or for a domiciliary care provider directly involved in the care of vulnerable people can get the vaccine for free. Many others can get the flu vaccination for free too.
And nothing is better than free.