Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Medicare
  • Employer
  • Broker
  • Provider
  • Careers
  • Health News
  • About Us
  • Menu
    • Find Care
      • Care Options

        • Find a Doctor
        • 24/7 Nurse Line
        • Video Doctor Visits
        • Look up a Medication
        • Care Management
        • Serious Illness
        • Care Decisions
        • Holistic Care
          • Find alternative care
          Close
        • Acupuncture
        • Team Blue
          • A Pledge to Make Meaningful Change
          Close
        Close
      Close
    • Your Health
      • Mental and Behavioral Health

        • Mental & Behavioral Health
        • Care Options
        • Articles & Videos
        • Substance Use Disorder
        Close
      • Conditions

        • Pregnancy
        • Diabetes
        • Asthma
        Close
      • Everyday Wellness

        • Coronavirus Resource Center
          • We Are Mighty, MA
          Close
        • Flu Resources
          • Flu FAQ
          • Flu Myths
          Close
        • Preventive Care
        • Healthy Living
        • Family Planning
        Close
      Close
    • Learn & Save
      • Plans & Benefits

        • Medical
          • Student Plan
          Close
        • Dental
        • Vision
        • Pharmacy
        • Deductible plans
        • Other Benefits
        • Health Connector Plans
        • Summary of Benefits and Coverage
        Close
      • Ways to Save

        • Health Financial Accounts
        • Fitness & Weight Loss
        • Breast Pump Savings
        Close
      • Insurance Basics

        • Transitioning to Medicare
        Close
      • Fast Forms
      • Glossary of Terms
      Close
    Close
  • Search
    • Search
    Close
  • Support
    • Team Blue Support
      • Call member service 1-800-262-2583
      • Talk to a nurse 1-888-247-2583
      • Video Doctor Visit
      • Send website feedback
      Close
    Close
  • Sign In
  • Menu
    • Home
    • Find Care
      • Care Options

        • Find a Doctor
        • 24/7 Nurse Line
        • Video Doctor Visits
        • Look up a Medication
        • Care Management
        • Serious Illness
        • Care Decisions
        • Holistic Care
          • Find alternative care
          Close
        • Acupuncture
        • Team Blue
          • A Pledge to Make Meaningful Change
          Close
        Close
      Close
    • Your Health
      • Mental and Behavioral Health

        • Mental & Behavioral Health
        • Care Options
        • Articles & Videos
        • Substance Use Disorder
        Close
      • Conditions

        • Pregnancy
        • Diabetes
        • Asthma
        Close
      • Everyday Wellness

        • Coronavirus Resource Center
          • We Are Mighty, MA
          Close
        • Flu Resources
          • Flu FAQ
          • Flu Myths
          Close
        • Preventive Care
        • Healthy Living
        • Family Planning
        Close
      Close
    • Learn & Save
      • Plans & Benefits

        • Medical
          • Student Plan
          Close
        • Dental
        • Vision
        • Pharmacy
        • Deductible plans
        • Other Benefits
        • Health Connector Plans
        • Summary of Benefits and Coverage
        Close
      • Ways to Save

        • Health Financial Accounts
        • Fitness & Weight Loss
        • Breast Pump Savings
        Close
      • Insurance Basics

        • Transitioning to Medicare
        Close
      • Fast Forms
      • Glossary of Terms
      Close

    Other Sites

    • Home
    • Medicare
    • Employer
    • Broker
    • Provider
    • Careers
    • Health News
    • About Us

    Need Help

    • Team Blue Support
      • Call member service 1-800-262-2583
      • Talk to a nurse 1-888-247-2583
      • Video Doctor Visit
      • Send website feedback
      Close
    Close
  1. Home
  2. Flu Resources
  3. Flu Myths

What’s true about flu

Here are the top six myths we’re hearing about flu shots. And why the truth will make you feel better.

Myth 1: "The flu shot will make me sick"

Truth: According to the CDC, no form of the flu vaccine will give you the flu. Some people do have a mild reaction to the injection. It may last a few hours or up to a day, but it is not flu illness. But it can take about two weeks for the body to build up protection against flu viruses after the shot. Until that resistance is built up, it’s still possible to catch the flu, but the shot itself doesn’t cause it.

See how vaccines work

Read Transcript

How vaccines work

When a virus enters the body, it attempts to reproduce

A healthy immune system recognizes a virus as a foreign invader, and responds by making proteins called antibodies

Your antibodies seek to destroy the virus.

But if they are unfamiliar with the virus, they may be ineffective at fighting it.

You may develop fevers, inflammation, chills, pain & other serious symptoms that can even be fatal

If you recover, the antibodies remain in your body and help prevent future infection from the same virus

Vaccines, the greatest medical innovation of modern life, help you develop immunity safely, without getting sick

Vaccines are made from a tiny, safe amount of the virus that is either killed or weakened before it is injected via a shot

Vaccines are experts at training your body to make antibodies.

These antibodies are experienced fighters that can destroy viruses they recognize before you get sick again

Once a vaccine has trained your body to protect itself from a virus, you are immune to that virus

Myth 2: “It’s unsafe to leave my house during COVID-19 to get a flu shot”

Truth: Your doctor’s office and other medical providers have taken many steps to ensure safe practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also follow the CDC’s recommendations for running essential errands and doctor visits. With these precautions in place, it’s safe to get your flu shot.

Myth 3: “If you’ve had the flu in the past, you’re immune”

Truth: Viruses that cause the flu change all the time. The flu you caught last year won’t be the same as the one you’ll catch this year. Likewise, last year’s vaccine won’t work on this year’s strains. With certain viruses, a vaccine can protect you for much longer periods. But that’s just not the case for the flu virus.

Myth 4: “I’m at high risk for COVID-19, so it’s too risky to get a vaccine”

Truth:  If you’re vulnerable to COVID-19, then your risk for flu is also high. The good news - any vaccination location following CDC’s guidance should be a safe place for you to get a flu vaccine. So, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health department if they’re following CDC’s vaccination pandemic guidance. Visit our Coronavirus Resource Center to learn more about your care options during the pandemic.

Myth 5: “Flu vaccinations aren’t safe for kids”

Truth: For most children ages six months and older, getting a flu shot is critical. The sooner, the better. That’s why this year,  the state of Massachusetts requires all children and students without extenuating health circumstances to get a shot (or vaccine type) before the end of the year. If your child has a compromised immune system or ongoing health challenges, talk to your doctor about whether the vaccine is right for your child. 

Myth 6: “The flu shot only protects against a limited number of many strains, so there’s no point to get one.”

Truth: Your flu vaccine protects against the most common strains expected for the upcoming season as determined by extensive, ongoing research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more about the different flu strains and how vaccines are designed.

Footer: Links

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Sitemap
  • Feedback
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Security
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Member Rights
  • Plan Updates
  • Utilization Management
  • MyBlue App
  • Health News Stories
  • Well-B
  • Medical Policies
  • Equity In Health Care​​​​​​​

Download App

Download on App Store Download on Google Play

Follow us:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Choose a language:

  • English (English)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Français (French)
  • Chinese/简体中文
  • Haitian Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen
  • Vietnamese/Tiếng Việt
  • Russian/Русский
  • Mon-Khmer, Cambodian/ខ្មែរ
  • Italian/Italiano
  • Korean/한국어
  • Greek/λληνικά
  • Polish/Polski
  • Hindi/हिंदी
  • Gujarati/ગુજરાતી
  • Tagalog/Tagalog
  • Japanese/日本語
  • German/Deutsch
  • Lao/ພາສາລາວ
  • Navajo/Diné Bizaad

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia con el idioma. Llame al número de Servicio al Cliente que figura en su tarjeta de identificación llamada 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711 ).

ATENÇÃO: Se fala português, são-lhe disponibilizados gratuitamente serviços de assistência de idiomas. Telefone para os Serviços aos Membros, através do número no seu cartão ID chamar  1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711 ).

ATTENTION : si vous parlez français, des services d’assistance linguistique sont disponibles gratuitement. Appelez le Service adhérents au numéro indiqué sur votre carte d’assuré appel 1-800-472-2689  (TTY : 711 ).

注意:如果您讲中文,我们可向您免费提供语言协助服务。请拨打您 ID  卡上的号码联系会员服务部 通话 1-800-472-2689(TTY  号码:711 )。

ATANSYON: Si ou pale kreyòl ayisyen, sèvis asistans nan lang disponib pou ou gratis. Rele nimewo Sèvis Manm nan ki sou kat Idantitifkasyon w lan (Sèvis pou Malantandan Rele 1-800-472-2689 TTY: 711 ).

LƯU .: Nếu quý vị n.i Tiếng Việt, c.c dịch vụ hỗ trợ ng.n ngữ được cung cấp cho quý vị miễn ph.. Gọi cho Dịch vụ Hội vi.n theo số tr.n thẻ ID của quý vị Cuộc gọi 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711 ).

ВНИМАНИЕ: если Вы говорите по-русски, Вы можете воспользоваться бесплатными услугами переводчика. Позвоните в отдел обслуживания клиентов по номеру, указанному в Вашей идентификационной карте вызов  1-800-472-2689 (телетайп: 711 ).

ការជូនដំណឹង៖ ប្រសិនប. ើអ្នកនិយាយភាសា ខ្មែរ សេ  វាជំនួយភាសាឥតគិតថ្លៃ គឺអាចរកបានសម្  រាប ់អ្នក។ សូមទូរស័ព្ទទ ៅផ ្នែ កសេ  វាសមា  ជិកតាមល េខន  ៅល.  ើប ័ណ្ណ សម្  គាល ់ខ្លួ ខ្លួ នរប ស់អ្នក ហៅ  1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711) ។

ATTENZIONE: se parlate italiano, sono disponibili per voi servizi gratuiti di assistenza linguistica. Chiamate il Servizio per i membri al numero riportato sulla vostra scheda identificativa chiamata  1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711 ).

참고 : 한국어를 사용하는 경우 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 사용할 수 있습니다. 신분증에있는 전화 번호 1-800-472-2689 (TTY : 711)로 회원 서비스에 연락하십시오.

ΠΡΟΣΟΧΗ: Εάν μιλάτε Ελληνικά, διατίθενται για σας υπηρεσίες γλωσσικής βοήθειας, δωρεάν. Καλέστε την Υπηρεσία Εξυπηρέτησης Μελών στον αριθμό της κάρτας μέλους σας (ID Card) κλήση 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711 ).

UWAGA: Osoby posługujące się językiem polskim mogą bezpłatnie skorzystać z pomocy językowej. Należy zadzwonić do Działu obsługi ubezpieczonych pod numer podany na identyfikatorze zadzwoń 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711 ).

ध्यान दें: य दि  आप ह िन् दी बोलते ह ैं, तो भा षा  सहाय  ता  सेवा एँ, आप के लि ए नि :शुल्क  उपलब्ध ह ैं। सदस्य  सेवा ओं को आपके आई.डी. कार  ्ड पर दि ए गए नंबर पर कॉल करें  कॉल 1-800-472-2689 ( टी .टी .वा ई.: 711).

ધ્યાન આપો:  જો તમે ગુજરા તી બોલતા  હો, તો તમને ભા ષા કીય  સહાય  તા  સેવા ઓ વિ ના  મૂલ્યે  ઉપલબ્ધ છે. તમા રા  આઈડી કાર  ્ડ પર આપેલા  નંબર પર Member Service  ને કૉલ કરો કૉલ કરો 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

PAUNAWA: Kung nagsasalita ka ng wikang Tagalog, mayroon kang magagamit na mga libreng serbisyo para sa tulong sa wika. Tawagan ang Mga Serbisyo sa Miyembro sa numerong nasa iyong ID Card tumawag 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711 ).

お知らせ:日本語をお話しになる方は無料の言語アシスタンスサービスをご利用いただけます。ID カードに記載の電話番号を使用してメンバーサービスまでお電話ください 呼び出す 1-800-472-2689(TTY: 711 )。

ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsche sprechen, steht Ihnen kostenlos fremdsprachliche Unterstützung zur Verfügung. Rufen Sie den Mitgliederdienst unter der Nummer auf Ihrer ID-Karte an Anrufen 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711 ).

ຂໍ້ຄວນໃສ່ໃຈ: ຖ້າເຈົ້າເວົ້າພາສາລາວໄດ້, ມີການບໍລິການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອດ້ານພາສາໃຫ້ທ່ານໂດຍບໍ່ເສຍຄ່າ. ໂທ ຫາ ຝ່າຍບໍລິການສະ ມາ ຊິກທີ່ໝາຍເລກໂທລະສັບຢູ່ໃນບັດຂອງທ່ານ ໂທ 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

BAA !KOHWIINDZIN DOO&G&: Din4 k’ehj7 y1n7[t’i’go saad bee y1t’i’ 47 t’11j77k’e bee n7k1’a’doowo[go 47 n1’ahoot’i’. D77 bee an7tah7g7 ninaaltsoos bine’d44’ n0omba bik1’7g7ij8’ b44sh bee hod77lnih call 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Registered Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®´ Registered Marks of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., or Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Inc. ®´´ Registered Marks, TM Trademarks. and SM Service Marks are the property of their respective owners. © 2020 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., or Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Inc.