That wraps up ‘favourite flu myths’ as
reported by the ParaMed Flu Teams.
FACT: Flu vaccines have been
given for more than 50 years and they have an excellent safety record. They are
manufactured the same way each year following the highest safety standards and they
are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness by the Public Health
Agency of Canada. 
FACT: Your immunity
from last year’s vaccine is gone as it lasts approx 6 months and so to protect
yourself you will need another one. Also, the viruses that this year’s version
of the flu vaccine gives protection against may have changed from last year. 
Get it, Don’t Spread it!
FACT: Even if you get the flu vaccine there are still reasons why you might have had flu like symptoms. You may have been exposed to a non-flu virus like the common cold. The flu vaccine can only prevent illnesses caused by the flu. Or you might have been exposed to the flu after you got vaccinated but before you built immunity which takes up to 2 weeks.Get it, Don’t Spread it!
FACT: Even if you get the flu
vaccine there are still reasons why you might have had flu like symptoms. You
may have been exposed to a non-flu virus like the common cold. The flu vaccine
can only prevent illnesses caused by the flu. Or you might have been exposed to
the flu after you got vaccinated but before you built immunity which takes up
to 2 weeks. Get it, Don’t Spread it!
FACT: The flu vaccine
cannot give you the flu; it does not contain live flu virus. The most common
side effects are a sore arm and achy feeling.Get it, Don’t Spread it!
FACT: The flu is a serious
contagious disease. Fever, chills, cough, runny eyes, stuffy nose, headaches,
muscle aches, extreme weakness and fatigue are some of the symptoms that even
healthy people can get. 
