Now is the time to get your flu jab.

Don’t worry, it won’t give you flu…

Myth – The vaccine will give me flu.

Fact – The vaccine cannot give you flu. There’s a small chance you may experience symptoms such as a sore arm or a few aches and pains immediately after being immunised, but any side effects are usually very mild and pass within 48 hours. This can be a sign your immune system is responding to the vaccine and is working – but it’s not flu.

Myth – The vaccine isn’t effective.

Fact – During the last 10 years, the flu vaccine has generally been a good match for the circulating strains of flu, even though it is not possible to predict exactly which strains will be around each year. Being immunised is the best protection.

Myth – I had to go off sick after the vaccine last year.

Fact – This may have been the cold or another bug. The vaccine takes 10 days to work so you may have just been unlucky and caught a bug or the flu during this period.

Myth – Flu is just a bad cold.

Fact – Flu is a much more dangerous virus, which can lead to serious infections and illness. It’s a contagious disease of the respiratory tract that can lead to complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, meningitis and encephalitis. It can cause worsening of chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Flu can disrupt your work and social plans for up to two weeks and you can expect to have a fever, headaches, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches.

CLICK HERE for details of flu clinics.