The transition info fall means pulling down your favorite sweaters, cozy Sundays and piles of blazing orange foliage. But it also means aligning your defenses for the health threats on the horizon. Namely, getting your annual flu shot. This preventative prescription comes with a healthy dose of questions from the general public, so we thought we would take this opportunity to explore some of the myths, misunderstandings and rationale behind autumn’s most popular vaccine*.

I should get the flu shot if I’m pregnant.

True. – Lori Getts, RN, BSN, CHEP Infection Preventionist

I can get the flu from getting the flu shot.

False. You may get aches or tenderness at the site of the injection, but you are receiving a dead virus, so if you did, it would be from previous exposure.  – Mary Jo Highlen, NPC, Parkview Occupational Health

The flu vaccine contains mercury and latex.

False. – Theresa Loechner, Infection Preventionist

The vaccine is a “best guess” of the flu strain thought to be prominent that year.

True. And the vaccine actually contains multiple strains that research shows will be prevalent.” Mary Jo Highlen, NPC, Parkview Occupational Health

The vaccine is for the respiratory flu, not the stomach flu.

True. It’s very important to understand there is a difference. Influenza is a respiratory condition, while the stomach flu is actually a virus. Mary Jo Highlen, NPC, Parkview Occupational Health

*For questions related to newborns, children and the mist form of the vaccine, we suggest contacting your pediatrician for more information.