Did You Know?: Flu Shot

Every year, flu vaccines are developed to protect against the influenza viruses that are most likely to appear during the flu seasons of fall and winter. Our flu vaccine guide tackles commonly asked questions about how the flu shot works, its ingredients, and vaccine options.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months and older should get a flu shot. Preeti Parikh, MD, Executive Medical Director at GoodRx and pediatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital explains why you can’t actually get the flu from a flu shot, and what your immune system is really doing immediately after the injection.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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