Influenza – Fact and Fiction / Flu Facts

As we approach another flu season, respiratory illness is a growing concern. Last year saw a significant increase in hospitalizations due to respiratory illnesses including flu, especially among people younger than 18.¹

The flu isn't a serious illness.

FALSE. While mild cases of seasonal influenza may cause cold-like symptoms that last for about a week, the flu can cause serious illness. Especially at-risk are young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions. When severe, influenza can lead to complications including pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.² In Canada, influenza and pneumonia combined are the 8^th leading cause of death.³

The flu shot doesn't work.

FALSE. Vaccinated people who do catch the flu are significantly less likely to develop severe illness requiring hospitalization.² In a 2014 study, influenza vaccination reduced children’s risks of requiring admission to an intensive care unit due to severe flu-related illness by 74%.⁴ And more recent research showed that flu vaccinations reduce a child’s risk of life-threatening influenza by 75%. That means vaccination helped about 3 out of 4 children avoid hospitalization due to severe flu infection.⁵

The flu shot can cause serious side effects.

FALSE. The flu shot is safe and serious side effects are extremely rare. Generally, people may have injection site reactions such as soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given. And because vaccination triggers the immune system to create antibodies, this may cause short-term side effects such as low-grade headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue.⁶

The flu shot can give you the flu.

FALSE. The flu shot is made from "dead" or inactivated strains of the virus and can't cause the flu.

If you develop flu after being vaccinated, be aware that:

The flu vaccine takes a few days to provide maximum protection.
Flu symptoms do not develop for about 1 to 4 days after exposure and infection, so people may spread the flu to others before they know they have it.⁷

You can't get the flu shot if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

FALSE. The flu shot is not only safe to get during pregnancy or breastfeeding, vaccination is important to protect you and your baby against flu. During pregnancy, flu infection is more likely to cause serious illness requiring hospitalization. And it has also been associated with late miscarriage and stillbirth. So the flu shot helps protect both mother and baby against influenza infection and flu related complications, extending into the infant’s first few months of life.⁸

The flu shot also protects against COVID-19.

FALSE. Because they are caused by different viruses, flu shot doesn't protect against COVID-19, but you can get both shots in different arms at the same appointment.⁹

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This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your doctor. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.