LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As flu season approaches, and many people decide whether or not to get a flu shot, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department wants to make sure everyone has the facts about the vaccine.
They posted a video to their Facebook page detailing "myths and misconceptions" about the flu and flu shot.
One myth addressed: the flu shot can give you the flu.
That's not true, according to the health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People can experience mild reactions to the vaccine, including a low-grade fever and headache, according to the CDC's website, but it's not flu illness.
Another myth the health department pointed out: the flu vaccine isn't needed every year.
Because the strain of the virus changes every year, a flu shot is needed annually, according to the health department.
Workers with the health department also want to make it easy for people to get a flu shot. On Thursday, free flu shots will be available and the Fayette Mall from 1-7 p.m., near the interior entrance of Dillard's. Last year the health department administered over 1,000 free flu shots.
