Experts Agree This Is The Best Month To Get Your Flu Shot To Help Keep Yourself Safe
There’s a lot to look forward to during cooler months: Halloween, fall and winter festivities, New Year's Eve…I could go on. What’s not as exciting? Flu season. Unfortunately, the most germ-filled time of year starts up as early as October and sticks around throughout the winter. So when is the best time to get your flu shot to offer yourself max protection?
The first thing you should know is that while timing isn’t everything, it’s still important. “Usually, we go for weeks with little-to-no [flu] cases, and then, suddenly, we see a spike that peaks in about a week, and then we see it drop off,” says Irfan Hafiz, MD, an infectious diseases expert and chief medical officer at Northwestern Medicine Huntley, McHenry, and Woodstock Hospital. “Waiting until the last minute or for an outbreak tends to be too late to get vaccinated. It takes two to three weeks to develop the antibodies, so if you wait for the wave to occur, the peak of the season may already be over.”
With all the not-so-great symptoms that come with the flu, it’s pretty much a given that avoiding it with a vaccine is your best bet. Here’s everything you need to know about the best time to get your flu shot.
Meet the experts: Irfan Hafiz, MD, is an infectious diseases expert and chief medical officer at Northwestern Medicine Huntley, McHenry, and Woodstock Hospital. Richard J. Webby, PhD, is the director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza at St. Jude.
When is the best time to get a flu shot?
Previously, flu seasons were more aligned with winter months. However, since the arrival of COVID-19, it seems like flu season is showing up earlier than expected, says Richard J. Webby, PhD, director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza at St. Jude.
Previously, it was believed that if you got the shot too early, the effectiveness might wear off by the time flu season starts peaking. "We find that people unnecessarily delay [getting it] longer than they should, but the earliest opportunity you have is the best time," adds Dr. Hafiz.
Where should I go to get the flu shot?
The good news is there are plenty of places to receive your flu shot. While you can get it at your doctor's office, you can also get your flu shot at a local pharmacy. Think: Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, and Walmart. "You can go to your local pharmacy or local doctor. Anywhere where there's a pharmacy chain, you'll be able to go in and book an appointment to get your flu shot," says Webby.
Going to an urgent care center is also an option. However, Dr. Hafiz notes that it's best to get it done there if you're visiting for another reason and can tack it on at the end of your appointment. "For most people, if they're otherwise well and don't need other medical issues addressed, your pharmacy is going to be the quickest way to get it, making it a better use of your time," says Dr. Hafiz.
Who should get a flu shot?
Anyone who is six months of age and older should get the flu shot. Webby notes that children, the elderly, and people with underlying conditions tend to get hit the hardest by the flu, meaning they'll benefit the most from the vaccine.
Additionally, if you or someone you know is a caretaker for the elderly or someone with medical issues, everyone in the household should get a shot to protect each other as well as themselves, says Dr. Hafiz.
What are the side effects of the flu shot?
If you've ever received a flu shot, odds are you're familiar with some of the common side effects that come with it. Arm soreness at the injection sight tends to be what most people experience following a shot.
Still, others may experience symptoms such as a low-grade fever, chills, and body aches. "You can feel off for a day or so," says Webby. "When you get these vaccines, your body starts to generate an immune response against it. Sometimes, that can make you feel slightly unwell, but that's in a small percentage of people, and it goes away very quickly." To counter these symptoms, you can take an over-the-counter ibuprofen, adds Dr. Hafiz.
Can I get the flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?
In short: Yes, you can get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster and the flu shot at the same time. In other words, you can kill two birds with one stone to really get ahead of the seasonal uptick in viral illnesses.
If you decide to get both, you can expect side effects to be no different from the general post-flu shot standards. "Most of the evidence so far [shows that] getting them together doesn't increase the severity or duration of your side effects at all," says Webby. "So it's no worse taking the two of them."
What are the different kinds of flu shots?
There are currently four forms of the flu vaccine. The first is a spray known as FluMist that is administered into your nasal passage. The other three options are done via needle injection.
One shot, called Flublok, will provide immunization using the proteins of the virus. The other version can be made in two ways using broken apart and purified forms of the influenza virus. In one instance, "that virus has grown up in embryonated chicken eggs, which is how we've been making flu vaccines for many years," explains Webby. "But there are also some products made in cultured cells instead."
Any of these options should work for you, but speak to your doctor if you need any extra guidance.
Can I get an RSV vaccine and flu shot at the same time?
Like the COVID-19 vaccine, you can also get an RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and flu shot at the same time. However, the current RSV shot is approved for those ages 60 and up, according to CDC guidelines.
In case you didn't know, RSV results in cold-like symptoms and can lead to hospitalization in severe cases. It's typically more dangerous for older adults, infants, and those who are immunocompromised.
Do I need to get a flu shot every year?
The flu has new variants that are constantly evolving, which means what's in the shot also changes every year, too, says Webby.
Plus, the effectiveness of the shot also decreases over time. "There's some evidence that the flu shot does wear off," says Webby. "So getting it this year may not give you as much, if any, protection next year." In other words, consider your annual flu shot like a booster for your immunity.
How can I prevent the flu?
Aside from getting the flu shot, there are a few ways to avoid getting the flu and spreading it to others. Here are some three recommendations from Webby and Dr. Hafiz:
Stay home if you're feeling sick.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
Wear a mask if you're taking care of someone else.
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