Common Side Effects of the Flu Shot
Many people worry that the possible side effects of the flu shot might outweigh the benefits, but that’s far from true. The potential risk of a severe case of influenza is much higher than any mild reaction to the vaccine.
The flu is not just a bad cold — it can leave you bedridden for days or weeks and lead to serious complications. Some patients experience pneumonia, myocarditis (heart inflammation), encephalitis (brain inflammation), or severe respiratory distress requiring hospital or ICU admission.
Even if you contract the flu after being vaccinated, your chances of severe illness or death are dramatically lower. During the 2022–2023 season, the CDC estimated up to 640,000 flu hospitalizations and 57,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S. While the 2023–2024 flu season resulted in 470,000 hospitalizations, according to the CDC.
That’s why preventive care, supported by Medicare benefits and most health insurance plans, includes the flu shot at no out-of-pocket cost when administered by an in-network provider or community vaccination clinic.
