Please go to www.cdc/gov/flu/ for the latest information regarding the influenza/H1N1 flu.

This year almost 80% of the population is recommended to get flu vaccines. I have heard from patients that they are fearful of getting the flu from the vaccine. I was telling someone how the vaccine works the other day and they said they wished someone had explained that to them before. Therefore, I chose to put the information here.  When you receive a vaccine for the flu/influenza, it is not an active virus that goes into your body. Therefore, it is IMPOSSIBLE for you to get the flu from it. Your body thinks it is getting attacked by the flu and starts to make antibodies to fight it off. It is this process of making antibodies that causes some people to feel a little achy/tired/"flu-like" at times. Not everyone will experience these side effects but some people do. This usually only lasts a couple of days. Now your body has the antibodies in your system ready to attack if the true virus infects you!