top of page
  • White YouTube Icon
  • White Facebook Icon
  • White Instagram Icon
  • TikTok
  • X
  • White LinkedIn Icon
  • White Pinterest Icon

Dr. Jen's Blog

Never Miss a Post

​

Subscribe now to get the latest health and wellness news from Dr. Jen 

5 Flu Shot Myths Everyone Still Believes (But Shouldn’t!)

Sep 17, 2025
3 min read


You probably know the flu shot is important to help protect against the influenza virus. But, do you know what NOT to believe about the flu shot? There are LOTS of myths about the flu shot floating around; here are 5 myths you shouldn't believe!






💉Myth #1: "The Flu Shot Causes the Flu"


This is False. Please tell your mother, your father, your kids, your friends, and everyone else who needs to hear this. While this is false, I totally understand why you might think the flu shot causes the flu. When I was a medical student, I got the flu shot and a few days later became the SICKEST I had been in years. I was convinced it was the flu shot. Even though I had learned as a medical student that it wasn't, I was still quite skeptical. So, I can certainly understand your skepticism.







But, the flu shot doesn't cause the flu. This is by far, the BIGGEST misconception about the flu. Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are made with either inactivated (killed) viruses or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so that they will not cause illness."


There are other reasons why we might get sick around the time we get the flu shot. I won't go into them here, but watch this video to get the explanation.







💉Myth #2: "I Got the Flu Shot But Still Got Sick, So the Flu Shot Must Not Work."


I can understand why you might think this way, BUT, it's not true. The reason why is that the flu vaccine only protects against certain strains of the FLU virus. So, if you become exposed to any other virus or even a different strain of the flu, you can still get sick. Interesting, huh?





💉Myth #3: "Pregnant Women Should NOT Get a Flu Shot"


This is FALSE. On the contrary, pregnant women SHOULD get a flu shot. Some studies have shown that the flu shot lowered a pregnant woman’s risk of being hospitalized with flu by an average of 40 percent.





💉Myth #4: "I Never Get Sick and Don't Get the Flu, So I Don't Need to Get a Flu Shot"


This is FALSE. Getting a flu shot not only protects you, but protects other people as well, including people who may be at higher risk for flu complications (young children, those with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with underlying medical conditions).


Also, while you might not get sick with the flu often (thank goodness for that), it's not guaranteed that you won't get the flu in the future and the flu shot will help protect you against that.



💉Myth #5: "The Flu is Not Serious"


This is not true. "The flu hospitalized between 140,000 and 710,000 people in the United States annually between 2010 and 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. Annual deaths tied to the flu ranged from 12,000 to 52,000 in the U.S. over the same period, " says the Cleveland Clinic.


Finally, if you don't have health insurance, you can still get a flu shot at low or no cost at many public health departments and other facilities. I hope this was helpful! Please get your flu shot!

Dr. Jen


Dr. Jen Caudle is a board-certified Family Physician, Associate Professor at Rowan University, TV health expert, and video creator who loves pizza and tacos (in moderation of course). Follow her on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Also sign up to receive her free weekly health newsletter at drjencaudle.com.




156 Comments


A download guide is most useful when it explains the requirements clearly instead of rushing visitors straight to an installation file. When checking Jalwa Download, users should look for reliable source information, supported device details, and any important installation warnings. If the page offers an APK, it is especially important to confirm its authenticity before opening the file. Avoiding unfamiliar mirrors and reviewing the requested permissions can help reduce unnecessary risks when adding new software to a smartphone.

Like

This is an important reminder of how valuable accurate health information can be! Many people have questions or concerns about flu vaccines, especially when they feel unwell shortly after receiving a shot. Sharing personal experiences while explaining medical facts in a respectful and understandable way can help people make more informed decisions. Open conversations are essential because everyone deserves the opportunity to ask questions, learn from reliable sources, and understand different perspectives without feeling judged. Platforms like Talzy make it easier to talk to strangers, exchange ideas, and learn from people with different experiences. Visit https://talzy.love/ to connect with others and start meaningful conversations!

Like

Benten M
Oct 13

The Entrepreneur Plus profile on Brownbook is a useful reference for finding basic information about the organisation.

Like

Maia Maia
Maia Maia
Oct 09

This article does a great job of addressing a common misconception about flu shots while acknowledging why people may feel skeptical. Personal experiences can strongly influence our beliefs, especially when illness occurs shortly after vaccination. That is why clear explanations from medical professionals and reliable health information are so important. Encouraging open conversations without judging people can help families and communities make better-informed decisions about their health. It is also valuable to listen to different perspectives and ask questions respectfully. Online platforms like omegle give people opportunities to meet new individuals, exchange experiences, and discuss everyday topics, helping them understand viewpoints beyond their own social circles.

Like

Este contenido sobre Magis TV descargar puede servir como orientación para quienes todavía están investigando. Revisar los requisitos antes de comenzar resulta conveniente. También conviene verificar la fuente del archivo y confirmar que sea adecuado para el dispositivo utilizado.

Like

© Copyright 2026 Jennifer Caudle. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent.

​

Information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical consultation or as a substitute for medical advice provided by a physician or qualified medical professional.

​

The contents of this website, such as text, images, media, products, and other materials (collectively, "Content") are for informational purposes only. This Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions about a medical condition, please consult your doctor or other healthcare provider. Do not delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you read, saw, or heard on this website.

bottom of page