Top flu vaccine myths debunked: “You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine”

Florida health officials say a child is the first death in the state during this year’s flu season. Health experts emphasize a flu shot is the best way to protect against the virus. But as Tom Hanson shows us, many parents are still skeptical or misinformed about the vaccine.

Dr. Eric Teitel is getting a flu shot at his local Walgreens pharmacy. A doctor himself, he says he does whatever he can to stay healthy.

“The flu can be a very deadly disease especially as we get older and in younger age groups,” said Dr. Teitel.

Flu vaccines are recommended for anyone over 6 months of age, but a new national survey shows many parents question the safety and effectiveness. Orlando Health reports 53 percent believe flu vaccines can cause children to get sick with flu, and 34 percent believe the flu vaccine doesn’t work.

“You cannot get flu from the flu vaccine. This vaccine and others do not give you autism. Influenza vaccine is safe. Each year we have many of cases of influenza among children, and some of those children sadly die. And most of those children are unvaccinated,” said Dr. William Schaffner, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Last year’s flu season was the deadliest in at least four decades. 80,000 people died of the flu and its complications.

The time to get the flu vaccine is now. The CDC recommends everyone gets vaccinated before the end of October.

“The flu virus is out there, it’s just getting started,” said Dr. Schaffner. “You know, after you get vaccinated, it takes about ten days, two weeks, for your protection to build up.”