When to Get the Flu Vaccine

Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Many people get their flu vaccine in September or October, but is the vaccine still beneficial if you don’t get your shot until after October?  It sure is!

Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years and older, pregnant people, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of flu complications.

CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated every flu season. Children 6 months through 8 years of age may need 2 doses during a single flu season. Everyone else needs only 1 dose each flu season.

There are many flu viruses, and they are always changing. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to protect against the influenza viruses believed to be likely to cause disease in the upcoming flu season.

 Even when the vaccine doesn’t exactly match these viruses, it may still provide some protection. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet this season and already had the flu, getting the vaccine can still help prevent disease caused by three different strains of flu viruses.  The flu vaccine has also shown to reduce the severity of illness of those who were vaccinated but still get sick.

In addition to getting your flu vaccine, you can do other things to help stop the spread of illness:

· Avoid close contact with those who are sick

· Cover coughs and sneezes

· Wash hands

· Avoid touching your eye/nose/mouth.