GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WHDH) — Flu season has arrived and doctors are debunking myths that many people believe about the virus.
Doctors said it is not true that patients can catch the flu from getting the vaccine.
“It will never give you the flu, it doesn’t work that way,” said Dr. Daniel McGee, a pediatrician at the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “You can get muscle aches and a little bit of fever after the flu shot but that just means it’s working, that doesn’t mean it’s giving you the flu.” Doctors said patients who do get sick after getting the flu shot were likely infected by a different virus.
Another misconception that may keep people from getting the flu shot is the belief that those who have already had the flu do not need the shot again.
“The flu virus mutates every year, so it’s not the same virus circulating in the community this year that was there last year,” said McGee. “So you need a new shot every year in order to get protection.”
Parents should also be aware that children as young as 6 months are able to receive a flu shot.
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