Flu Vaccine Q&A

One common myth is that protection from the flu happens soon after vaccination. The truth is, in order to be fully protected from the virus, your body must develop an immune response to the vaccine which takes roughly two weeks. That means it’s important to avoid close contact with those who are sick during this period. It’s also important to remember that flu shots often contain only between three and four strains of the virus. These strains are the ones predicted to be the most common during a particular flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Because of this, you are not 100 percent protected from the flu virus when you get a flu shot — but your chances are greatly lowered. Click here for the full answer from Stephen Lozano, PharmD, BCACP.