Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a serious respiratory illness that is easily spread from person to person. While anyone can get the flu, some people are at increased risk for developing severe illness. Individuals at increased risk of flu complications include adults 65 years and older, individuals that are pregnant, and individuals with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease). Additionally, individuals among certain racial and ethnic minority communities experience a higher burden of severe flu outcomes, including Black, Latino/Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native.
Receiving an annual flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others against the flu and severe illness. Despite extensive research supporting the safety of flu vaccines and hundreds of millions of people in the United States that have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50+ years, there are still common flu misconceptions that may affect a person’s decision to receive an annual flu vaccination.
Despite extensive research, there are still common flu misconceptions that may affect a person’s decision to receive an annual flu vaccination. "With over 50 years of history and hundreds of millions of flu vaccines administered safely in the U.S., the flu shot remains a vital tool in our public health arsenal," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Annual flu vaccination is essential to help protect against severe flu-related illness and reduce the burden on our healthcare system. By getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself but also helping to prevent the spread of flu in your community."
Here are facts to address common misconceptions about the flu:
Fact: The flu is not just a bad cold.
Flu is caused by influenza viruses only, while the common cold can be caused by a number of different viruses. Although flu and cold symptoms can be similar, flu symptoms are typically more intense and begin more abruptly. Unlike flu, colds generally do not result in serious health complications, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations.
Fact: You cannot get the flu from the vaccine.
Flu vaccines given through a shot are made with either inactivated viruses or with only a single protein from the flu virus, so they cannot cause you to get the flu. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses, but they are weakened so that they cannot cause flu illness either.
Fact: Flu vaccination is recommended annually.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccination. This is because a person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time, and flu viruses are constantly changing. Each year, new flu vaccines are released to keep up with the rapidly changing flu viruses, which is why it’s important to get an annual flu vaccination to receive the best protection.
Fact: Flu vaccines are available in the fall and winter.
Although flu vaccination is recommended in September and October before flu activity begins circulating in your community, there are still protective benefits to getting your flu vaccination in later months. So, even if you missed the first round of vaccinations, you should try to get your flu shot as soon as you can.
Fact: Flu vaccinations help prevent severe illness.
Getting an annual flu vaccination not only protects yourself but also the people around you. Flu can lead to complications like pneumonia and worsening of your existing chronic medical conditions like asthma and COPD, missed workdays and even hospitalization. Flu strains evolve and change over time, which means you are at risk every year you avoid getting vaccinated.
Fact: Individuals with asthma are at increased risk for flu complications.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes swelling in the airways. A flu infection can put individuals with asthma at increased risk for serious illness and complications. Flu infections can cause additional swelling of the airways, trigger asthma attacks, worsen asthma symptoms and can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. Learn more about flu symptoms and risk factors.
Flu vaccination has a long-established safety record for individuals with asthma. In fact, in 2001, research funded by the American Lung Association determined flu vaccines are safe for people with asthma. There are contraindications and precautions for individuals with asthma and the nasal spray flu vaccine. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your vaccination options.
Fact: Flu can raise the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Heart disease is a known risk factor for developing serious flu complications. During the 2023-24 flu season, among adults hospitalized with flu, hypertension and cardiovascular disease were the top two underlying medical conditions reported. Recent studies show that flu infection can increase an individual’s risk of heart attack or stroke. Annual flu vaccination is especially important for individuals at higher risk for developing serious flu complications, including those with heart disease.
Fact: The risk of H5N1 bird flu to the public is low.
Avian flu, also known as bird flu, spreads easily among birds, however, it does not usually infect humans. This past year was the first time that bird flu viruses have also been found in dairy cows. There have been ongoing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows in the U.S. with several human cases. The virus can infect individuals who work with infected animals or their byproducts, such as dairy and poultry workers. Seasonal flu shots do not provide protection against bird flu. Getting a flu shot is important for individuals who may be at risk for H5N1 like dairy and poultry workers, to protect against seasonal flu and reduce the risk of co-infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are using flu surveillance systems to monitor this situation.
Fact: Getting a flu vaccine is quick and easy.
Getting your flu vaccine only takes a few minutes. There are many common places that you can either make an appointment or walk-in to get a flu vaccination. Visit vaccines.gov to find a pharmacy near you or contact your local health department or healthcare provider to see what vaccinations are available. You can even schedule your flu and COVID-19 vaccines to be given at the same time. Although most people with flu will recover quickly without causing additional medical issues, for others it can lead to serious illness and even death. Learn more about the importance of flu vaccination through the Influenza is a Serious Respiratory Illness video and by visiting Lung.org/prevent-flu.
Support for this educational grant is provided by CSL Seqirus.
Blog last updated: October 16, 2024
