Why do people get flu-like symptoms after being vaccinated?
Flu vaccines can NOT cause the flu. The viruses in flu vaccines are either killed or weakened. The vaccines work by ‘priming your body’s defenses in case you are exposed to an actual flu virus. There are several reasons why someone might get flu-like symptoms even after they have been vaccinated against the flu. People may be exposed to an influenza virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in a person becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect them. Another possibility is that a person may become ill from other (non-flu) viruses that circulate during the flu season, which can also cause flu-like symptoms (such as rhinovirus). A person may also be exposed to an influenza virus that is not included in the vaccine as there are many different influenza viruses. • Can the flu shot give you the Flu? No, the flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The three infl
