{"id":5733,"date":"2019-09-09T09:00:31","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T13:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=5733"},"modified":"2023-08-04T16:10:32","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T20:10:32","slug":"reasons-not-to-get-the-flu-shot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/reasons-not-to-get-the-flu-shot\/","title":{"rendered":"10 common myths about the flu shot"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T_OVyM7YLgo?rel=0\"\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every fall, the flu virus starts circulating&#8230;and so do a slew of myths, rumors, and half-truths about this nasty illness <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the vaccine designed to prevent it. They spread from person to person, just like influenza itself. All the misinformation gives loads of people easy reasons <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get the flu vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The flu is a significant public health issue that commonly affects literally <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/about\/burden\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">millions of Americans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> each year. Virtually every health institution, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the World Health Organization (WHO), recommends that healthy people 6 months of age and older get an annual flu shot. So, it\u2019s important to separate fact from fiction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/flu-shot-survey\/\"><b>Flu shot survey<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flu shot benefits<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to decreasing the risk of serious illness from the flu, there are many benefits of getting the flu shot. Here, is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevent\/flushot.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what the CDC says<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flu prevention: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The flu shot can keep you from getting sick from flu viruses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Avoid hospitalization: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting vaccinated reduces the risk of hospitalization and death from the flu.This is also true among young children and older adults.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milder symptoms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: If you do get the flu, being vaccinated reduces the severity of the illness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reduced complications due to chronic illness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: In individuals with heart disease, the vaccine can reduce the risk of a major cardiac event. In people with lung disease and diabetes, the flu shot reduces the risk of hospitalization caused by worsening of the chronic condition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pregnancy protection:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The flu vaccine can protect pregnant individuals during and after pregnancy and can offer the baby protection for several months after birth.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prevent the spread: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting the flu shot is the best way to protect others around you because you are less likely to spread the virus when vaccinated.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flu shot myths<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#flu-shot\">The flu shot will give you the flu<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#never\">I never get the flu, so I don\u2019t need a vaccine<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#bad-cold\">The flu is just a bad cold, so the vaccine is unnecessary<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#last-year\">I don\u2019t need a flu shot because I got one last year<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#eggs\">I\u2019m allergic to eggs, so I can\u2019t get the flu shot<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#serious\">The vaccine is harmful or could cause serious side effects<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#effective\">The flu shot isn\u2019t 100% effective, so why bother<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#together\">You shouldn\u2019t get the flu shot and the COVID shot together<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#too-late\">It\u2019s too late in the season to get the flu shot<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"#expensive\">The flu shot is too expensive<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read on to see how these concerns are fueled by myths\u2014and why they shouldn\u2019t deter you from the shot.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 common\u2014but misguided\u2014reasons not to get the flu shot<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We asked an infectious disease specialist and a primary care provider about ten of the most popular myths about the flu shot. Here\u2019s what they had to say.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"flu-shot\">Myth #1: The flu shot will give me the flu.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the myth that just won\u2019t go away, \u201cCan the flu shot make you sick?\u201d No matter how many times healthcare professionals debunk it, plenty of people still believe that the flu shot contains a weakened version of the live influenza virus that will infect them with the flu in order to build up their immunity. And once again, it\u2019s just not true. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-shot-reactions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The flu shot isn\u2019t dangerous<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe flu vaccine doesn\u2019t give you the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/influenza-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because it\u2019s a killed virus, not a live one,\u201d says Christelle Ilboudo, MD, an infectious disease specialist at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.muhealth.org\/doctors\/christelle-ilboudo-md\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">University of Missouri Health Care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> system. \u201cIt can\u2019t lead to disease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So why did you feel crummy shortly after getting the flu shot? Dr. Ilboudo says there are two likely explanations: one, feeling ill after the injection is a natural immune response common to many vaccinations, and two, you\u2019re getting the shot at a time when viral illnesses abound.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSome people are already infected with the flu before they get the vaccine, so then they get sick [coincidentally right after the shot],\u201d she explains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, the influenza vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective\u2014so you could be exposed to the virus before the vaccine is able to fully protect you from illness. Either way, though, the shot itself isn\u2019t to blame.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"never\">Myth #2: I never get the flu, so I don\u2019t need a vaccine.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Ilboudo says she hears this myth quite a bit, and though common, it\u2019s not a good reason to skip the flu vaccination. Never having the flu before doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ever<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> get it\u2014and your symptoms could include anything from mild sniffles and sneezes to low-grade fever, body and muscle aches, headache, sore throat, and cough, depending on how severely the virus affects you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Ilboudo also emphasizes that while <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> immune system might be top notch, the same can\u2019t be said for everyone you come into contact with: \u201cWhen you get a flu shot, you protect yourself and those around you who have a higher risk of flu complications, like asthmatics, diabetics, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-shot-while-pregnant\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pregnant women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you\u2019re the type to never get sick, there\u2019s no guarantee this will hold true during flu season. What affects you as a minor illness could cause major problems for your immunocompromised family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors if you spread it around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-complications\/\"><b>What groups are at high-risk for flu complications?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"bad-cold\">Myth #3: The flu is just a bad cold&#8230;why would I get a vaccine for it?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of minor illnesses, the flu actually <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">doesn\u2019t<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fall into that category.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cInfluenza is a deadly virus that kills thousands of people every year,\u201d says Joshua Septimus, MD, an internist at Houston Methodist. \u201cInfluenza can also cause serious illnesses that require hospitalization, such as pneumonia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since 2010, the CDC estimates anywhere from 140,000 to 810,000 flu-related hospitalizations have occurred every year and about 12,000 to 61,000 flu-related deaths annually in the United States. Meanwhile, Dr. Septimus explains, the common cold <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">isn\u2019t<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> life-threatening and rarely results in\u00a0 serious complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cold-vs-flu\/\"><b>Cold vs. flu: What\u2019s the difference?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"last-year\">Myth #4: I got a flu shot last year, so I don\u2019t need another one.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The faulty thinking here lies in the way the seasonal flu vaccine works. According to Dr. Septimus, the viral strains that circulate each fall and winter change from year to year, and the immunizations distributed to doctor\u2019s offices, health clinics, and pharmacies change, too (to target the flu strains predicted to spread the most widely that season). Even if the formulations didn\u2019t change, Dr. Septimus says, the immunity provided by the influenza vaccination wanes over the course of the year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, you can\u2019t coast along on the benefits of last year\u2019s shot. You should get a flu shot <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">every year<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-season-2020\/\"><b>Flu season 2020\u2014Why the flu shot is more important than ever<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"eggs\">Myth #5: I\u2019m allergic to eggs, so I can\u2019t get the flu shot.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most flu shots produced today use an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevent\/egg-allergies.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">egg-based manufacturing process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that leaves trace amounts of egg protein behind. So, many people with egg allergies assume the vaccine isn\u2019t safe for them. Dr. Ilboudo says that\u2019s not the case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe vaccine doesn\u2019t actually contain eggs [in whole form], and people with mild egg allergies can still receive the vaccine,\u201d she asserts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, if you\u2019ve ever had an allergic reaction to a flu shot before, you should talk to your provider before receiving one to avoid any unnecessary complications. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/egg-allergy\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20372115\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common symptoms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> indicative of an egg allergy include hives, nasal congestion, vomiting, and\u2014rarely\u2014anaphylaxis. If you have a severe egg allergy, the doctor may want you to receive the immunization in a medical facility, such as a doctor\u2019s office or hospital, where they can recognize and manage any potential severe allergic reactions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"serious\">Myth #6: The vaccine is harmful or could cause serious side effects.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve all heard rumors about the \u201ctoxic chemicals\u201d present in vaccines and how they can cause serious side effects, including autism (a theory that has been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chop.edu\/centers-programs\/vaccine-education-center\/vaccines-and-other-conditions\/vaccines-autism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">disproven repeatedly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but still spreads in certain circles). But Dr. Septimus says there are no harmful ingredients in the flu shot and these reasons not to get a flu shot are just baseless rumors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis is a common myth promoted by anti-vaccine fringe elements\u2014the same people responsible for the [2019] deadly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/measles\/cases-outbreaks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">measles outbreak<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d he asserts. \u201cThe most common side effect of the flu shot is a sore arm and more serious side effects are vanishingly rare.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more information on adverse effects to vaccines, search the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/vaers.hhs.gov\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"effective\">Myth #7: The flu shot isn\u2019t 100% effective, so why bother?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On average, the flu shot lowers the risk of flu illness by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/vaccines-work\/vaccineeffect.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40% to 60%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, according to the CDC. Some people interpret that as a vaccine \u201cfailure,\u201d and use it as an excuse to skip the shot. While the flu vaccine effectiveness varies, it\u2019s important to remember that no medical intervention is 100% effective. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> protection is always better than <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> protection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEven in a year where the vaccine is only 50%\u00a0 effective, that\u2019s a 50% reduction [in illness],\u201d says Dr. Septimus. \u201cIf a medical intervention would reduce the risk of a heart attack by 50%, we would all choose it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"together\">Myth #8: You shouldn\u2019t get the flu shot and the COVID-19 shot together.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s perfectly safe to get the flu vaccine at the same time as the COVID-19 shot, according to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/season\/faq-flu-season-2021-2022.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To equip your body with the best defense, it\u2019s important to get both vaccines. That\u2019s because the flu and COVID are two different viruses, so a flu vaccine won\u2019t protect you from COVID-19, and vice versa. That said, a recent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medrxiv.org\/content\/10.1101\/2022.05.09.22274802v1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> among 30,000 healthcare workers suggests that a flu vaccination could reduce the severity of COVID-19, but more research is needed to fully understand the correlation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"too-late\">Myth #9: It\u2019s too late in the season, it\u2019s not worth it.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ideal time to get a flu shot is early fall, in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.immunize.org\/askexperts\/experts_inf.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">September or October<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But even if you miss that window, it\u2019s not too late to get the vaccine\u2014no matter what time of year it is. Although generally,<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/its-good-time-get-your-flu-vaccine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu season<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> occurs between December and February, the length and severity of a given flu season is unpredictable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/season\/faq-flu-season-2021-2022.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu season peaks in February but can continue well into May<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That\u2019s why even if you wait until spring, it\u2019s still beneficial to get vaccinated. And even if you\u2019ve already had the flu this season without being vaccinated, it still pays to get the shot because it protects you from additional strains of the virus.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"expensive\">Myth #10: The flu shot is too expensive.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have health insurance, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/answers\/health-insurance-reform\/will-the-aca-cover-my-flu-shot\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the flu shot is required to be covered \u2013with no copayment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013under the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/where-can-i-read-the-affordable-care-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Affordable Care Act<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But check with your provider first, because you may need to go to a specific location to get the vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re uninsured, there are multiple options to get a free or discounted flu shot. Children under the age of 19 are eligible to receive the vaccine for free under the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/programs\/vfc\/about\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vaccines For Children (VFC) program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/immunization\/get-vaccinated\/pay\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">older people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">federally funded health centers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer vaccinations on a sliding fee scale based on your income.You can also contact your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/state-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">state\u2019s health department <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to find out about free and low-cost vaccinations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re unable to obtain a free flu shot, compare prices at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription-discount-card\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">singlecare.com <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to find the lowest priced options, and use our coupons to save even more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who shouldn\u2019t get the flu shot<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost everyone should get the flu shot, but there are a few <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevent\/whoshouldvax.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exceptions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infants under 6 months of age:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Children in this group are too young to get vaccinated for the flu.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Those allergic to any of the vaccine\u2019s ingredients:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Some individuals are allergic to components of the vaccine, such as gelatin or other ingredients and should not get the vaccine (ask your provider for advice). However, if you are allergic to egg, let your provider know, because egg-free options are available.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Past severe allergic reactions to the flu vaccine:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> People who have experienced life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine should avoid the vaccine in the future. Contact your healthcare provider if you have experienced a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you still have concerns, it\u2019s best to speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about how to alleviate your fears around the flu shot.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":8473,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[11169,8905,3381],"coauthors":[8860],"class_list":["post-5733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-cold-flu","tag-seasonal","tag-vaccines","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>10 reasons not to get the flu shot (and why they\u2019re myths)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are many myths about flu shot side effects and efficacy. We had experts address these supposed reasons not to get the flu shot. 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