NORTH CAROLINA -- A new survey finds many parents are skeptical of flu shots.

  • Several parents with kids under 18 believe their child can get the flu from the shot
  • Doctors say that is false
  • Doctors also say the shot is an inactive virus

The survey from the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children found more than half of parents with kids under 18 believe their child can actually get the flu from the shot. Doctors say that's false. 

Mecklenburg County Department of Health Medical Director Meg Sullivan says the flu shot is an inactive virus and can take two weeks to take effect.

Of the parents polled, 28 percent of them believe the shot can cause Autism, which doctors also say is false, and 30 percent of parents believe the shot is a conspiracy.

"It's not a conspiracy, it's just scientific evidence that the flu vaccine is safe, that the flu can be very dangerous and the flu vaccine is single best most effective way to prevent against it," Sullivan said.

Doctors say there is no reason to be concerned about flu shots and that the ingredients are safe.

Sullivan says everyone should get a flu vaccine. The only exception is infants under six months old.

The best time to get the flu shot is before the end of October, according to the Centers for Disease and Control.

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