Your annual flu shot can protect you and those around you from getting seriously ill and can protect you from infection altogether.

For those at risk of severe flu complications, the flu shot can be lifesaving. Flu vaccines help reduce hospitalizations and deaths every year.

Those most at risk of developing a severe illness are individuals 65 or older and anyone with asthma, a history of heart disease and stroke, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. Children under age 2 are also at risk of getting severely ill.

Flu vaccination is covered by most insurance plans, and you likely won’t have any out-of-pocket cost to protect yourself and those around you this season.

Some feel fatigued and achy a day or two after getting the seasonal flu vaccine. This is typically a result of the vaccine activating your immune system and a sign that the shot is doing its job. Consult your primary care provider if you have concerns.

Flu Shot Appointments for Adults and Children Over Age 12 Months

Influenza Vaccine Appointments for Children 6 Months to 18 Years

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Get a Flu Shot?

September or October is the best time to get your annual flu vaccine. The shot takes a couple weeks to build up antibodies in your system and provides protection for about six months.

Getting the shot by the end of October allows time for protection to build up before the flu virus starts actively spreading and will provide protection through March, when flu season winds down.

The effectiveness of each year’s vaccine varies, as scientists have to predict which flu viruses will be dominant each season. In general, the flu vaccine provides up to about 60% protection for your body, meaning it will decrease your chance of getting severely sick and decrease the chance of needing medical treatment for the flu.

You still can get vaccinated after the end of October, and the shot will still provide protection — it just won’t be as effective as an earlier vaccination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health officials advise it is safe to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same office visit.

How Can I Prevent the Flu?

The annual flu shot is your first step toward reducing your risk of flu and potentially severe complications for you and those around you.

Other preventive steps that help reduce the spread of viruses include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, isolate as much as possible. The CDC recommends staying home at least 24 hours if you have the flu and until your symptoms are improving and you have not had a fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Bring fresh air indoors or purify indoor air to help reduce the risk of exposure to viruses.

Who Shouldn’t Get a Flu Shot?

Exceptions are rare, but the following should not get a flu shot.

• Babies under 6 months
• Anyone who has a severe egg allergy or is allergic to any other vaccine ingredient (Unlike past years, the CDC advises that those with mild egg allergies can get the flu shot.)

Some still may be able to get the flu shot, but should talk to their health care provider first. Those include:

• Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past (Alternative formulations may be available.)
• Anyone who has had Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Anyone who isn’t feeling well

What types of seasonal flu vaccines are there?

Injection With Killed Virus

This is the standard flu shot that most people get. Using dead influenza viruses, the vaccine tricks your immune system into ramping up to fight infection. That way if you get exposed to live viruses, your body is ready for the fight.

Because the virus is dead, you can’t catch the flu from a vaccine.

Nasal Spray With Weakened Virus

Nasal spray vaccines use a weakened version of the virus to trick the immune system into action. The virus is weakened to the point of being ineffective, but the nasal spray is not recommended for those at high risk of complications.

Formulations for Those 65 and Older

Certain formulations of influenza vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for those ages 65 and older.

One is Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, which has four times the active ingredient (antigen) than standard inactivated virus flu vaccines. Two others are Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted influenza vaccine.

These vaccines are recommended for those ages 65 and over based on a review of studies that suggested they are potentially more effective than standard vaccines.