I've gotten flu shots for the past three years and didn't have any unpleasant side effects other than a bit of soreness in my upper arm. I had the most vicious flu of my life the year prior to getting a flu shot for the first time, and that's actually what prompted me to start getting them in the first place even though I absolutely loathe needles. Haven't been sick since I started getting the shot and will definitely continue getting them every year; I'll take one tiny death stick over being out of commission for two weeks any day.
I've also heard that coming down with the flu as a result of a flu shot is just a misconception and that people can mistake the normal side effects (low-grade fever, body aches, etc.) for the flu. I guess it's possible that people become sick before their immune system develops the necessary antibodies to protect them from the flu, but the vaccine itself can't actually make you sick based on what I know about it.
I've also heard that coming down with the flu as a result of a flu shot is just a misconception and that people can mistake the normal side effects (low-grade fever, body aches, etc.) for the flu. I guess it's possible that people become sick before their immune system develops the necessary antibodies to protect them from the flu, but the vaccine itself can't actually make you sick based on what I know about it.