Tens of thousands die each year of flu and pneumonia. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.
In this video, we debunk five flu vaccine myths:
- Myth 1: The flu shot can give you the flu.
- Myth 2: The flu is just a bad version of the cold.
- Myth 3: I am healthy, I don’t need the vaccine.
- Myth 4: I already had the flu, so I don’t need the vaccine.
- Myth 5: The side effects of the flu shot are worse than the flu.
So when it’s time, get your flu shot. Flu shots are available for Veterans enrolled in VA health care. Check with your nearest VA health care facility or call 1-877-222-8387 to confirm supply.
This video was created by Travis Weger of the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
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