It's the time of year when the flu starts circulating more widely and with it -- the myths about the flu shot start circulating, too.
In just over 2 minutes, The Slate does a highly entertaining job of debunking one of the most tenacious myths of all -- that you can get the flu from the flu shot. You can't.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone over 6 months get the flu shot. While effectiveness varies from year to year, this year's version is expected to be a good match against the specific strains of influenza that are circulating this season.
It is impossible to predict if this year's flu season will be particularly bad or not, but the California Department of Public Health reports that two people have already died of complications from the flu, an adult in Santa Clara County and a Stanislaus County infant.