Does the flu shot actually work?
- According to the CDC, in 2019-2020, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7.5 million influenza illnesses, 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits, 105,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 6,300 influenza-associated deaths.
Can you get the flu from the flu shot?
- Flu shots do not contain live flu viruses, so you cannot get flu from a flu shot.
Is the flu shot dangerous? What are the side effects?
- Common side effects are soreness, redness, swelling where the shot was given, headache (low grade), fever and muscle aches.
- Side effects of the flu are not frequent, in one study there was only a 5% chance of side effects from the flu shot.
The flu is common and not dangerous, why do I need a flu shot?
- According to the CDC’s weekly flu index, as of December 2022, 53,000 people have been hospitalized and 2,900 people have died from the flu, including 12 children.
- The flu can affect anyone regardless of age. One Parkland physician had a healthy teenager who died from the flu within 24 hours of developing a fever.
At Parkland, you can get the flu shot at no cost to you at many locations across our health system.
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- Walk-in Wednesdays: No appointment needed, see below for locations.
- Community-based health centers
- Flu drives
- Youth & Family centers
To learn more about the flu visit https://www.parklandhealth.org/stop-the-flu.
