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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are side effects of the flu shot?

    I have heard that getting the flu may induce symptoms of a mild flu. Is this true?
  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • Dr Teresa Wong

    GP (General Practitioner)

    I love medicine! My special interest areas are mental health, pain management, pediatrics and musculoskeletal injuries. Having said that there is no area in medicine … View Profile

    Most people are just fine after the flu shot and have no symptoms. I have however had some patients tell me exactly that. They felt as though they got the flu from the vaccine itself. This may have been a coincidence and it may not have! Common side effects following seasonal flu vaccination include soreness, pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, vomiting and malaise. These side effects are usually mild and resolve quickly without any treatment.

    Generally however I believe the benefits outweigh the risks for most people.

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