According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 710,000 people are hospitalized each year for influenza. Even more alarmingly, up to 56,000 people die from flu-related ailments.
Getting a flu shot is the most effective way to protect yourself from influenza. Perhaps even more importantly, the flu vaccine can stop influenza from spreading to people with compromised immune systems that cannot fight the virus.
Should You Get a Flu Shot?
As a general rule, the CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months old should get vaccinated against influenza. A small number of people, however, should not get the flu vaccine because they have severe allergies to its ingredients.
Some people should also talk to their doctors before getting vaccinated. These include children and adults who:
- Are allergic to eggs.
- Have ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- Feel sick.
The Best Time to Get a Flu Shot
Flu season in the United States lasts from October to May. Ideally, you should get a flu shot in September because it takes your body about two weeks to develop enough antibodies to protect you from influenza.
Where you live has little effect on when you should receive a flu shot. Whether you live in a warm part of the South or a cold area in the North, flu activity usually peaks between December and March.
Where to Get Your Flu Shot
You can get your flu shot at most:
- Doctor’s offices
- Pharmacies
- Community health centers
- Urgent care centers
If you aren’t sure where to get a flu shot in your area, you can use the CDC’s website to find a location near you.
How Often You Should Get a Flu Shot
You should get a flu shot once per year to prevent influenza. Flu viruses evolve quickly, so a vaccine that worked well last year may not have an effect this year.
By getting the flu shot every year, you give your body the assistance it needs to fight the latest versions of influenza viruses.
Unless you have a health condition that prevents you from receiving the flu vaccine, you should get vaccinated each year. Doing so will protect you and others from getting sick during flu season.
