{"id":13126,"date":"2024-08-22T06:44:08","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T11:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/famurgentcare.com\/fam-back-up\/?p=13126"},"modified":"2024-08-27T06:37:15","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T11:37:15","slug":"why-do-flu-shots-make-you-feel-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/famurgentcare.com\/fam-back-up\/blog\/why-do-flu-shots-make-you-feel-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Flu Shots Make You Feel Sick?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“I got the flu shot and still got sick! What’s the use?” <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may be feeling a bit skeptical about getting the flu vaccine when you\u2019ve had flu, even after being vaccinated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But here’s the thing! If you ended up sick despite the shot, it could be because you were exposed to a viral strain not covered by the vaccine. Or, perhaps, it was another sneaky reason!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s clear up some common misunderstandings and help you feel more confident this flu season. In this blog, you\u2019ll not only explore the safety and effectiveness of vaccines but also dive into the reasons behind getting sick after a flu shot.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to explore further insights on why it is important to get vaccinated every year. Let\u2019s get right into it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Flu Shots Safe And Effective?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, flu vaccines are considered safe and effective as they undergo strict surveillance in clinical trials to determine their safety in people of different ages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the CDC, people who have received a flu shot are 40% to 60% less likely to get flu. The effectiveness of flu vaccines varies every year because the influenza virus strains change over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, getting yourself and your family vaccinated before peak cold and flu season can reduce your risk of developing severe complications such as pneumonia and prevent the worsening of existing conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can a Flu Shot Make You Feel Sick?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you may feel lethargic and tired after a flu shot, but the symptoms would be mild and go away on their own within a few days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it’s rare, some people also experience a low-grade fever after getting a flu shot, which will improve once they take a fever-relieving medicine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because flu vaccines contain an inactivated or weakened form of the virus to trigger the generation of antibodies. When your immune system activates, the antibodies try to fight the foreign weakened or inactivated viruses (also known as antigens), and in response, you experience fever or fatigue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you come in contact with the flu virus in the future, you\u2019ll have strong immunity as the antibodies will automatically fight against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Catch Flu After A Flu Shot?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The idea that you can catch the flu after receiving a flu shot is a common misconception. Note that the vaccine itself does not cause flu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because the vaccine consists of inactivated or dead viral proteins or antigens that cannot infect you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you still catch the flu after receiving the vaccine, it can be due to the body\u2019s immune response as it prepares to defend against the actual virus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, the body takes almost two weeks to develop immunity against the influenza virus. If you\u2019re exposed to the virus right after receiving the vaccine, it may be possible that you would have flu symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, other viruses circulate during the cold and flu season. Therefore, catching a cold or another viral infection caused by other viruses, such as coronavirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, etc, is possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three Possibilities Why Flu Shots Make You Feel Sick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Curious about some other potential reasons why you may catch the flu even after the vaccine? Let\u2019s dive right in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The strain has been mutated and isn\u2019t present in the vaccine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The flu vaccine takes almost four months to produce. During the production of the flu vaccine, scientists have to make early guesses and decide which flu strain is going to be the most prevalent in the upcoming flu season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the influenza virus mutates at a faster rate, it can even change some of its structure during the production phase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be on the safer side, the flu vaccine protects you against three to four specific strains of influenza. These are selected after detailed research and analysis of the past prevalent strains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their best guesses, the flu virus can mutate multiple times in a year, and the vaccine may fail to provide immunity against the prevalent influenza strain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The immune system is not fully developed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can still get the flu if your immune system is not fully developed to protect against the virus. This can happen in the following scenarios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n