“Can you get sick from the flu vaccine?”

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Often the vaccine causes no side effects. When it does cause side effects, it can cause:

●Redness, mild swelling, or soreness where you got the shot (if you got a shot)

●A mild fever

●A mild rash

●Headache or body aches

Vaccines also sometimes cause more serious side effects, such as severe allergic reactions. But serious side effects are rare.

The flu vaccine does not cause the flu. People sometimes feel sick after getting the vaccine, but this is often because they were already starting to get sick with the flu or another virus before they had the vaccine.

I have received the vaccine every year for the last 61yas well as my 5 children and 3 grandchildren since they were 1y old

You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine because it is not a live virus. People can get a sore arm for a couple of days, and sometimes for about 24 hours after you get the shot. You may not feel completely active or may have slightly reduced energy. These are both signs that your body is making a good response to the vaccine. At the time flu vaccinations are given, there are a lot of other respiratory viruses circulating. Sometimes people get the vaccine and then develop infection with one of these other common cold viruses. The coincidental timing makes them believe that the vaccine made them sick. It is impossible for the flu vaccine to actually make you sick.

I hope this was helpful.

Randall Fisher, M.D.