Flu season typically doesn't ramp up until November, but the Centers for Disease Control is already reporting people experiencing early symptoms of the virus.
Metro Public Health Department officials said while the shot may cause a sore arm, it does not cause the flu.
"Many people will wait until they hear we've seen a spike in flu-like illness, then they decide 'well I better get the flu shot,'" said Brian Todd with MPHD. "Many of those are the folks that get the flu shot, go to the grocery around a lot of people, somebody who has the flu. They get infected after that and they think it was the flu shot that gave it to 'em. if you get the shot now you're protecting yourself throughout flu season."
The flu shot is especially important for the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and those with weakened immune systems.
