Flu Vaccination: Myth or Fact
Flu vaccination is one of those topics where misinformation persists despite clear evidence. When running a workplace vaccination program, you’ll hear these concerns from staff. Here are the facts.
“The flu vaccine can give you the flu”
This is a myth. The injectable flu vaccine used in Australia contains inactivated (killed) virus. It cannot cause influenza. Some people experience mild reactions after vaccination, such as soreness at the injection site or a low-grade temperature, but these are immune responses, not the flu. They typically resolve within a day or two. More detail on what to expect is on our flu vaccine side effects page.
The timing of vaccination, early in flu season, sometimes creates a false connection. Someone gets vaccinated in April, catches a cold or a different virus shortly after, and attributes it to the vaccine. Correlation isn’t causation.
“I never get the flu, so I don’t need the vaccine”
Past luck doesn’t predict future exposure. Influenza viruses change each year, and immunity from a previous infection or vaccination wanes over time. That’s why the vaccine is updated annually. Beyond personal protection, vaccination reduces the chance of passing the virus to colleagues, family members, or others who may be more vulnerable to complications.
“The flu is just a bad cold”
Influenza and the common cold are caused by different viruses. While they share some symptoms, influenza is considerably more severe. Symptoms manifest within one to three days and recovery can stretch over two weeks. The flu can also lead to serious complications, particularly in certain groups. Our flu complications page covers this further.
“Healthy people don’t need the vaccine”
Healthy adults can and do get influenza. Being healthy may reduce the risk of severe complications, but it doesn’t prevent infection. A healthy employee who catches the flu is still likely to be off work for an extended period, and they can spread the virus to others before symptoms appear.
“The vaccine doesn’t work because people still get the flu”
No vaccine is 100% effective. The flu vaccine’s effectiveness varies from year to year depending on how well the vaccine strains match the circulating viruses. However, even when the match isn’t perfect, vaccination can reduce the severity and duration of illness. The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides detailed information on vaccine efficacy.
“You only need to get vaccinated once”
Influenza viruses mutate regularly. The vaccine is reformulated each year to target the strains most likely to circulate during the coming flu season (April to October in Australia, peaking June to September). Last year’s vaccination won’t provide adequate protection this year. Annual vaccination is recommended.
For more information about influenza itself, see what is influenza. For details on running a vaccination program at your workplace, visit our flu vaccination services page or request a quote.
Last updated: 18 May 2026