A large population of parents are skeptical of the flu shot's effectiveness and safety, according to a national survey conducted by Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
Here are four things to know:
1. More than half of U.S. parents with children under age 18 said they believe their child can get flu from the flu shot. One-third of parents said they believe the shot does not protect someone from the flu.
2. About 30 percent of parents said they thought the flu shot is a conspiracy, while 28 percent said they believe it causes autism.
3. Jean Moorjani, MD, a board-certified pediatrician at Arnold Palmer Hospital, said many parents don't know it takes about two weeks after receiving a flu vaccine for the body to build up antibodies to protect against the virus. If individuals contract the flu during this time period, they may assume it was from the flu shot.
4. The CDC suggests everyone over the age of six months get a flu shot before the end of October.
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