Saskatchewan vaccine expert debunks four flu shot myths

“The effectiveness of the vaccine varies from year to year, and there’s a lot of different things that determine that,” he explained. “But the vaccine overall is good at limiting how sick you get.”

On Nov. 5, 2026, Health Canada announced it had authorized Moderna’s mRNA vaccine for influenza, as well as its combination mRNA vaccine for flu and COVID-19.

Last year, about one in five people in Saskatchewan received a flu shot.

Myth No. 1: Flu vaccines don’t work

Sutton said flu vaccines are designed to reduce how ill people may become.

“Flu vaccines are really good at making you less sick,” he explained. “They aren’t vaccines that always completely prevent you from getting infected.”

After getting a flu shot, it generally takes two weeks for the vaccine to become effective.

Influenza is one of several viruses that can cause respiratory illness, with symptoms that can resemble those of the common cold.

“That’s one reason why sometimes people will feel like they’ve had flu, even though they haven’t.”

Symptoms of other respiratory illnesses can sometimes be mistaken for the flu.

“You can still get the flu,” Sutton said. “But chances are the vaccine will help you recover faster and be back on your feet sooner.”

Myth No. 2: I’m young and healthy, so I don’t need the vaccine

Regardless of a person’s age, being sick with the flu is a lousy experience.

“You’re pretty winded for a while,” Sutton said. “It takes up to two weeks to start feeling really healthy and normal again.”

He added that being young, healthy and vaccinated increases the chances of recovering faster.

Sutton said the benefits are twofold.

“If you get the flu vaccine and you get the flu, you’re less likely to pass the virus on to others,” he explained.

He said this is a particular concern when people are around young children or seniors, two groups at greater risk from influenza.

Myth No. 3: All vaccines are the same

Sutton said there are vaccines for different viruses and illnesses. There are also different types of flu shots, depending on age and availability.

Sutton added that, unlike some other vaccines, flu vaccines are regularly updated.

“Every one to three years, the components of the vaccine are changed to match the viruses that are circulating or predicted to circulate that year.”

He explained that it’s part of a global effort to monitor circulating viruses.

“They look at the viruses that are circulating in the Southern Hemisphere because their flu season is offset from ours,” Sutton said.

“They predict which viruses are going to circulate in the northern hemisphere in the following fall.”

He said it’s not an exact science, but the next year’s vaccine gives people the best protection against the most prevalent virus strains.

“None of us have a crystal ball,” Sutton explained. “We can’t see into the future, but this is our best shot at looking into the future.”

Myth No. 4: The flu vaccine gives you the flu

Sutton said an inactivated flu vaccine, for example, contains viruses that are “in essence killed twice.”

“Viruses are grown and then treated so the virus is killed,” he explained. “They’re then purified, and then they’re then treated with a detergent that actually breaks the virus up further.”

Sutton said the shot cannot give you the flu.

“It’s not necessarily uncommon that (for) a day or two to feel, you know, tired, sore, and achy after getting your flu shot,” he said.

“That doesn’t mean that the vaccine gave you the flu. It means that you are actually developing an immune response to the vaccine.”

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has a list of available walk-in vaccine clinics on its website.

by Phil Wood/CKOM

Saskatchewan vaccine expert debunks four flu shot myths

Myth No. 1: Flu vaccines don’t work

Myth No. 2: I’m young and healthy, so I don’t need the vaccine

Myth No. 3: All vaccines are the same

Myth No. 4: The flu vaccine gives you the flu

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