Fact or Myth: The flu can be caused by the flu vaccine

To many, the flu vaccine seems like a threat to an otherwise healthy individual. People often get the flu after receiving the flu shot, which does not promote confidence in the general public. These and other reasonings have created a myth that the flu vaccine can cause the flu. Understanding how the vaccination is created and how it interacts with the immune system helps to realize why the flu vaccine cannot cause the virus. For the vaccine to work, adaptive immunity must be activated by the introduction of the viral particles in a safe manner. An effective immune response from the vaccine generates flu-like symptoms, but the virus may also mutate away from the original vaccination. Overall, an individual stands a better chance at maintaining health during flu season by receiving a flu shot.