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Short answer: No — you cannot get the flu from the flu shot.
Not possible. Zero percent.
✅ Why you can’t get the flu from the flu shot
The flu shot contains inactivated (killed) virus, which means:
It cannot infect you
It cannot multiply in your body
It cannot cause the influenza illness
So medically, the flu shot cannot give you the flu.
✅ Then why do some people feel sick afterward?
A few normal, harmless reactions can happen as your immune system responds:
- Mild fever
Your immune system becomes active → leads to a low-grade fever in some people.
- Fatigue or body aches
This is a side effect, not the flu itself.
- Sore arm
Very common due to the immune response at the injection site.
- You were already exposed before the shot
If someone gets sick right after the vaccine, it’s often because:
They were exposed to the virus a few days before the shot
They caught a different virus (cold, RSV, COVID)
It takes 2 weeks for the flu shot to give full protection
❗ Important note
The nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) does contain a live-attenuated virus, but it’s weakened so much that it also cannot cause actual influenza. It may cause:
Runny nose
Cough
Mild symptoms
But not true flu illness.
✅ Bottom Line
No — the flu shot does not and cannot give you the flu.
You may feel mild symptoms as your immune system builds protection, but that’s a normal response — not an infection.
What else can I help you with?
Can you still get the flu even if you received the flu shot"?
Yes, it is possible to still get the flu even if you received the flu shot, as the vaccine may not provide complete protection against all strains of the virus.
Are flu shots bad for you, or are they actually beneficial for your health?
Flu shots are beneficial for your health. They help prevent the flu and its complications, reducing the risk of serious illness and hospitalization. The benefits of getting a flu shot outweigh any potential risks.
Have you ever tried using Hyland's Cold and Flu products for relief from cold and flu symptoms?
I have not personally tried using Hyland's Cold and Flu products for relief from cold and flu symptoms.
Does Zicam effectively work for treating the flu?
Zicam is not effective for treating the flu. It is a homeopathic remedy that is not supported by scientific evidence for flu treatment. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper flu treatment.
What is the importance of getting the flu vaccine?
Getting the flu vaccine is important because it helps protect you from getting sick with the flu virus. It can also reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick, and help prevent the spread of the flu to others.
When received the flu shot a nerve was hit how do you alleviate the pain?
Our arms always become sore after receiving a flu shot. This will take three or four days to subside, if not call your doctor.
Can you take Claritin after receiving the inactivated flu shot?
Yes, you can take Claritin after receiving the inactivated flu shot. There are no known interactions between the flu vaccine and antihistamines like Claritin. However, if you have specific concerns or experience any unusual symptoms after vaccination, it's always best to consult your healthcare provider.
How can you Find Out if you ever had a flu shot?
First, there is typically no pressing reason to find out if you had a flu shot in the past. Since you must get flu shot annually, a flu shot history is not important to most people. If you still feel you need to know, you might try calling your primary care provider (current and past), your employee health department (current and past) and the Department of Health to find out if they have records of your receiving a flu shot.
Is there any harm in receiving two full dose flu vaccines in one year?
No, but if you get swine flu and regular flu shot, it will be harder to get the flu.
How long does it take for the flue shot to affect?
It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to provide full protection against the flu virus. However, some protection may start as early as a few days after receiving the vaccine.
What is a simile for flu shot?
the flu shot was as painful as a bee sting.
You are taking amox-clav can you still get the flu shot?
Yes, you can still get the flu shot. The flu shot should not be gotten if you are currently ill, but if you are on antibiotics, it is OK to get.
Why get a flu shot?
So you don't get the flu.
Should you get a flu shot with a sinus infection?
You have to wait until your better then you get the flu shot
Is the Swine Flu shot really a shot?
They don't shoot you, and it isn't a 'shot' of a drink, it's a needle in the arm. In the 2009-2010 flu season there was a mist as well as a shot for the vaccination for swine flu. In the 2010-2011 flu season the vaccine for swine flu protection is included in the one vaccination for the seasonal flu.
Is it safe to get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1-09 virus flu shot?
Yes. In fact, now the seasonal flu shots are combined with the H1N1 Virus flu shot, so you don't have to get two.
Can I take Nitrofurantoin after getting a a flu shot?
Yes, you can take Nitrofurantoin after receiving a flu shot. There are no known interactions between Nitrofurantoin, an antibiotic, and the influenza vaccine. However, it's always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice, especially if you have specific health concerns or conditions.
