Dr. Nesochi discusses the flu shot on Cosmopolitan.

COSMOPOLITAN Interview 09/2020:

Does the Flu Shot Only Last a Few Months? And 7 Other Flu Shot Questions You Have

by: Carina Hsieh

Why do some people *swear* the flu shot gives them the flu?

As a germaphobe and (unofficial) president of the flu-shot fan club myself, I hear this every year and it makes me so upset because it’s simply not true! “This is the top myth I hear about the vaccination over and over from those who have apprehension about receiving the flu shot,” says Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, M.D. M.S.

For starters, the flu shot doesn’t contain live virus — just dead virus, meaning it “simply cannot spread the actual influenza virus.” Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe explains. Also, remember the two-week rule. Since antibodies don’t develop until around two weeks from getting the shot, “there is a possibility that some of those who ‘swear’ they became sick from the shot, perhaps were already exposed to the influenza virus before developing any antibodies,” Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe adds.