What's the Best Time of the Year to Get a Flu Shot?
Getting vaccinated can lower your chances of getting the flu. While you can get a flu shot anytime during flu season, the timing does matter.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the seasonal flu causes around 120,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 6300 to 52,000 deaths every year in the United States.
In this article, we'll help you understand how to time your flu vaccine for maximum protection.
When should you get a flu shot?
In the northern hemisphere, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated between early September and late October.
The flu virus is around all year, but it spreads more easily from September through the spring, generally peaking between December and February.
It takes about 2 weeks to develop enough antibodies from the flu vaccine to protect you against the flu.
Protection fades over time, so getting vaccinated before September may leave you more vulnerable toward the end of flu season.
You can continue to get the vaccine through late winter to early spring.
Children ages 6 months to 8 years may need 2 doses 4 weeks apart if they have not received at least 2 doses in prior years or do not know if they received this previously. Otherwise, they should be able to have an annual dose, so it's best to get them started in early September.
Who shouldn't get vaccinated?
If you're currently feeling sick, it's best to wait until you're better.
Avoid the flu shot if you have a severe allergy to any of the ingredients that may be used in the vaccine, such as:
thimerosal, a preservative
monosodium glutamate (MSG), a stabilizer that keeps vaccines from losing their potency
antibiotics, such as neomycin and gentamicin
polysorbate 80, an emulsifier that keeps the ingredients from separating
formaldehyde, which inactivates the flu virus
Babies under 6 months old shouldn't be vaccinated.
If you've had Guillain-Barré syndrome, talk with your doctor before getting the flu vaccine.
The nasal spray contains a weakened live virus. It shouldn't be taken by people who:
are younger than 2 or older than 50 years
are 2 to 4 years old and have asthma
are 2 to 17 years old and take medications containing aspirin or salicylate
are pregnant
have life threatening allergies to the flu vaccine
have a suppressed immune system
are in close contact with someone with a suppressed immune system
have taken antiviral drugs for the flu within the previous 48 hours
Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of the nasal spray vaccine if you have:
asthma or chronic lung disease
a blood disorder
diabetes or other metabolic disorders
heart, kidney, or liver disease
a neurologic or neuromuscular disorder
How does the flu shot protect you?
The flu shot prompts your immune system to produce antibodies against a specific strain of the flu. If you're exposed to this particular flu virus later, you'll already have antibodies ready to fight off the virus.
It usually takes about 2 weeks to build up your immunity to a flu virus after you've been vaccinated against it.
You'll have the most antibodies 3 to 4 weeks late r. After this time, your protection begins to decline. That's why you need a flu shot every year.
Each year's vaccine is based on which strains are most likely to spread during that flu season.
The vaccine won't protect you from every strain. But if you do get sick, it'll likely be less severe due to the vaccine.
Getting your flu shot can help lower your risk of flu complications that could put you in the hospital.
Are there side effects?
Most people have little to no reaction following the vaccine. There's no live virus in the flu shot, so it can't give you the flu.
Some people have a temporary reaction at the injection site, such as:
tenderness
redness or other color changes
minor swelling
This usually clears up within a day or two.
Other side effects may include:
headache
lightheadedness
Low grade fever
muscle aches
nausea
These side effects are usually mild and should clear up in a couple of days.
Signs of severe allergic reactions usually occur within a few hours. These may include:
fainting
hives
hoarseness
rapid heartbeat
swelling of eyes or lips
trouble breathing
wheezing
According to the CDC, life threatening reactions are rare. If you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
Where can you go to get a flu shot?
Usually, you can get a flu vaccine at your doctor's office, your local pharmacy, or even at a walk-in retail clinic.
Some employers even provide flu shots for their employees at their workplace.
How much does it cost?
The flu shot is often free in the United States if you have health insurance. If you're not sure whether it's covered, call your insurance provider to find out if you need to pay anything toward the cost.
Even without insurance, you should be able to find a flu vaccine for under $50.
It's a free preventive service under Medicare and Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant policies.
If you don't have health insurance or can't afford a vaccine, you may still be able to find a low cost or no-cost flu vaccine. To learn more about these options, try the following:
Call your doctor's office, local hospital, and local community clinics.
Call local pharmacies, and be sure to ask about coupons.
Contact your state health department.
Visit Vaccines.gov, a searchable database of local vaccine providers.
The bottom line
The flu can strike anyone and lead to serious, life threatening complications.
The best time to get your flu shot is from early September to late October. This timing offers you and your loved ones maximum protection for the duration of the flu season.
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