There’s a lot of inaccurate information out there about flu shots but the medical professionals from Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua, HI, want to set the record straight. Here’s their official FAQ guide to everything you need to know about flu shots:

• Are Flu Shots Safe? There’s no such thing as a vaccine that’s 100% safe for the entire population, but most people have no negative reaction to flu shots. The main exception to this rule is anyone who has an egg allergy because eggs are used in the flu vaccine. Only one in three people react with slight soreness in the arm, redness, or swelling, but most people who get vaccinated have no reaction at all. 
• Can Flu Shots Give You The Flu? No, but this urban myth is believed by many. The vaccine is made using an inactivated virus which cannot infect you. Flu shots take about two weeks to provide full protection so people who get sick following a flu shot were usually infected prior to their vaccination.
• Who Really Needs A Flu Shot? Asking who needs a flu shot is kind of like asking who should wear a seatbelt because it’s a simple precaution that everyone can benefit from. Flu shots provide protection from an otherwise difficult to treat (and unpleasant) virus. However, it’s true that people who have compromised immune systems and chronic illnesses are the most at risk during flu season so if you’re in that category you really shouldn’t go without.
• Where Can I Get A Flu Shot? You can get your annual flu shot at most hospitals and health clinics including your local Kona Hospital.

To schedule an appointment for a flu shot or for other health care and services call Kona Community Hospital at (808) 322-9311. For more information, visit their website.