With an early rise in flu activity and respiratory illness, the CDC emphasizes getting an annual flu vaccine — ideally by the end of October.
, a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the University of California Keck School of Medicine. Still, better safe than sorry.In the United States, flu vaccines are designed to protect against the four most common flu types anticipated in the upcoming flu season,, which is why they're called"quadrivalent vaccines." The flu shot works by introducing inactivated flu viruses to the body, which prompts your immune system to make antibodies.
The antibodies — which develop after your shot — are specifically created to learn how to recognize the flu virus and kill itThe flu shot does not give you the flu, but there are some common side effects."Some people will get a low-grade fever or some achiness in the day or so following vaccination. These are all signs of your body responding to the vaccine and making antibodies," Dr. Ison says.
It takes roughly two to three weeks for those antibodies to form, Dr. Kaloostian explains. If someone gets sick after being vaccinated, it's likely they were exposed to the influenza virus before the vaccine had taken effect or their body didn't develop a sufficient antibody response, which can occur with any vaccination, according to Dr. Kaloostian.
In short, the flu shot protects you from getting sick by activating your immune system and developing antibodies. Sometimes, you may experience side effects as a result — but it means the vaccine is doing its job., flu shot side effects are usually very mild and go away on their own within a few days. Side effects may include:
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