How the Flu Shot Works

How the Flu Shot Works Dr. Travis Stork: -- the home video -- who wondered if getting the flu shot can make her sick. You know what, we pulled 1/3 of women thought you can get sick from getting the flu shot. It’s a common myth, it’s not true. You don’t get sick from getting the flu shot. What does happen when you get the flu shot? Inactivated flu viruses introduced into your system. Your body then mounts a response. Those are antibodies that you're seeing. What then happens is a few weeks after you get the flu shot, your body has antibodies built up so that if you did come in contact with a flu, your body is going to go fight that flue off with those already formed antibodies. The problem though is this. When you get the flu shot, your body’s immune system does respond, so you may have some mild aches, a low-grade fever for a couple of days. You're going to have some soreness around the injection site. Dr. Jim Sears: But if you don’t have the flu. Jeff McClusky: Absolutely, we hear that a lot in the pharmacies of course because we’re seeing a lot of people coming through the stores asking about it and in the reality of this, the flu shots, the best prevention out there to prevent the flu, 70% of the cases are reduced by getting vaccinated so you know we recommend, you got to take that taken care of. Access is better than it has ever been. Also in our pharmacies at CVS, we have pharmacists doing immunizations over 9,000 of them nationwide right now. So you know there's no reason to not get your flu shot. Dr. Travis Stork: And Kelly what kind of services do you offer? Kelly: In the clinic, the healthcare clinic and selected CVS pharmacies, we treat kids and adults for a variety of family on disease. We’re open seven days a week. We’re giving flu shots everyday. Dr. Lisa Masterson: And it’s especially important for pregnant women too. Kelly: Especially important. Dr. Travis Stork: So flu shot is recommended for pregnant women. Dr. Jim Sears: For kids 6 months to 19 years old. Dr. Travis Stork: Adults older than 50 with chronic medical problems and healthcare providers or your care taker for a very young child is always a good idea.