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(WJBK) - How bad will this flu season be -- and is the shot really going to protect us?
Doctors say the flu shot won't make you sick, but we always hear the rumblings of complaints that say otherwise.
Shane Bies with the Oakland County Health Division says, no, the flu shot will not actually give you the flu, but he admits you may feel achy or weary afterwards. He says that's your body's way of responding to the vaccine -- but you're not getting the flu.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. In fact, Bies says one death has already been confirmed to be associated with influenza this season in Oakland County.
He says the flu season gets bad usually between December and February, so to get your vaccine sooner than later. It takes about two weeks for your body to build up its protection.
Most will get the same vaccine, but those over the age of 65 get a higher dose vaccine for better protection.
You can learn more about influenza on the CDC's website here.