{"id":1425,"date":"2022-11-01T20:05:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T20:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/?p=1425"},"modified":"2026-04-13T15:43:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T15:43:15","slug":"the-flu-shot-facts-vs-fake-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/01\/the-flu-shot-facts-vs-fake-news\/","title":{"rendered":"The Flu Shot Facts vs Fake News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Updated August 1, 2023<\/strong><\/em> &#8211; Did you know the flu shot has been around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/coronavirus-covid-19\/history-disease-outbreaks-vaccine-timeline\/flu\">since 1960<\/a>?  Building on the success of targeted flu vaccines, annual flu shots were first recommended and used in children age 6 &#8211; 23 months old starting in 2002. Our resident experts, Public Health Nurse and Infection Prevention Specialist, Laura Hegarty-Moore and Rachel Wolf, RN dispel common myths in The Flu Shot Facts vs Fake News, below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Why is it important to get your flu vaccine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Protecting Newborns and Infants <\/strong> &#8211; Every year there are about<a href=\"https:\/\/aspe.hhs.gov\/cdc-influenza-deaths-request-correction-rfc\"> 36,000 <\/a>deaths attributed to the flu.  This statistic can be difficult to estimate due to having the flu at the same time as other issues such as underlying health conditions or age.  And while we typically think of the elderly when we consider age as a factor in illness, newborns and infants also a vulnerable population due to their still-developing immune systems.  The flu shot can help protect our oldest and youngest loved ones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reduced Severity of Illness &#8211;<\/strong>  You might still catch the flu, but if you&#8217;ve been vaccinated, the vaccine gives at least partial protection, meaning fewer days of feeling unwell and a reduced likelihood of serious complications. Less severe illness also keeps our healthcare systems from becoming overburdened, which helps all of us. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The &#8220;Tripledemic<\/strong>&#8221; &#8211; Yes, COVID is still around. And yes, RSV is <a href=\"https:\/\/health.umms.org\/2022\/11\/07\/respiratory-syncytial-virus\/#:~:text=RSV%20cases%20typically%20rise%20in,in%20the%20fall%20of%202022.\">on the rise<\/a> in babies and toddlers.  Flu, COVID-19, and RSV are all respiratory viruses and will be spreading at the same time and it is possible to have illnesses at the same time. While the best prevention is to stay away from those who may be sick, the flu vaccine reduces your chances of getting the flu, which reduces your chances of coming down with a potentially serious double illness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/The-Flu-Shot-Facts-vs-Fake-News.png\" alt=\"The Flu Shot Facts vs Fake News\" class=\"wp-image-3767\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.1928934010152283;width:710px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/The-Flu-Shot-Facts-vs-Fake-News.png 940w, https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/The-Flu-Shot-Facts-vs-Fake-News-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/The-Flu-Shot-Facts-vs-Fake-News-768x644.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Toddlers can take the flu mist if they don&#8217;t like shots!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What about babies?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s recommended that everyone age 6 months and older get the flu shot. Before 6 months, babies&#8217; immune systems are not mature enough for this vaccine.  The flu mist, which is the nasal spray version of the vaccine is approved for people 2 years through 49 years of age.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">You can keep yourself and your newborn protected even more by following <a href=\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/13\/our-night-nurses-tips-new-parents-stay-healthy\/\">these tips <\/a>from our night nurses on remaining healthy during cold and flu season as well.  Hand washing, staying hydrated and creating a barrier from germs can all help you help your baby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>The Flu Shot Facts vs Fake News &#8211; Can the flu shot give me the flu?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">No. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevent\/misconceptions.htm#:~:text=No%2C%20flu%20vaccines%20cannot%20cause,they%20will%20not%20cause%20illness.\">This is a myth.<\/a>&nbsp;The flu vaccine is not capable of giving you the flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Flu vaccines are made with either<em> inactivated<\/em> (killed) virus, <em>attenuated<\/em> (weakened) virus, or <em>recombinan<\/em>t (only a single protein from the virus is used) virus. These viruses and particles are no longer infectious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Some people do get mild symptoms after the flu vaccine such as low grade, fever, headache, and muscle aches. This can happen for several reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your immune system is building a response (a good thing!).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Influenza viruses are circulating at this time, so you may have been exposed to flu shortly before or after becoming vaccinated. It takes your body two weeks after vaccination to build up protection against the flu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You may have also been exposed to one of the many other seasonal respiratory viruses out there, such as rhinovirus, commonly known as the cold virus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">While these symptoms are annoying, they\u2019re considerably less severe than the actual flu illness and are not contagious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=H-MdWuVK-Ik&amp;list=UUpNaTVLKwnBx14k1GSLyGBw&amp;index=43\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"582\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/The-Flu-Shot-Facts-vs-Fake-News-582x1024.png\" alt=\"RN Rachel explains flu shot safety and infant care\" class=\"wp-image-3274\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.568359375;width:363px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/The-Flu-Shot-Facts-vs-Fake-News-582x1024.png 582w, https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/The-Flu-Shot-Facts-vs-Fake-News-171x300.png 171w, https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/The-Flu-Shot-Facts-vs-Fake-News.png 648w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Flu Shot Facts vs Fake News<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>The Flu Shot Facts vs Fake News &#8211; When is the best time to get the flu shot?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">If you haven\u2019t gotten your flu shot yet, the best time to get it is now! The ideal time to get the flu shot is about two weeks before flu season begins which is mid to late Fall. So, early-mid September is a good time to get vaccinated, but you can get one anytime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Remember that some babies and children need two doses of the flu vaccine to keep them safe from flu. These doses occur 4 weeks apart. And while newborns cannot receive the vaccine, it&#8217;s recommended for babies 6 months and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>What about pregnant women? Is it safe for them to get the flu shot?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Absolutely! The flu vaccine has been proven safe to take during pregnancy. In fact, studies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3106242\/\">show<\/a> that in addition to protecting the pregnant mom, receiving the flu vaccine during pregnancy can protect the newborn from flu for several months after birth, when baby is too young to get a flu shot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\">Laura Hegarty-Moore, Public Health RN says: <em>Pregnant women, children, and babies are at increased risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and even death from flu. You could be saving your baby\u2019s life by getting the flu vaccine while pregnant! I am currently pregnant and I was one of the first in line for my flu shot at the clinic this year!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Can I be contagious with flu before symptoms develop? What about after symptoms are gone?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, you can be contagious with flu 1 day before symptoms start. You\u2019re still considered contagious for 7 days after symptoms start and up until symptoms resolve. For example, even if your symptoms went away after 5 days, you can still be contagious for at least 2 more days! Young children and people who have weak immune systems can be contagious for even longer. &nbsp;This is why it&#8217;s also important that anyone caring for your little one&nbsp;is vaccinated as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Public health experts explain the safety of the flu shot in  the Flu Shot Facts vs Fake News<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":3767,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[101],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-and-gear"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1425\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}