With the briskness of autumn around us, it’s a gentle reminder to think about getting ready for flu season. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Americans to get their annual flu vaccine before the end of October.
While the flu vaccine is important every year, health officials are stressing the significance of this year’s flu season, as it is anticipated that influenza will circulate at the same time as the virus that causes COVID-19. In fact, it’s possible to get sick with both of these viruses at the same time, making both more severe for the infected person.
We all take small steps every day to protect ourselves and each other. This season, there’s one more thing we can do – protect ourselves from the flu with vaccination.
Here’s what you should know about why, when, and where to get the flu vaccine this season.
Why get the flu vaccine?
Seasonal influenza typically circulates from the fall through early spring in the United States. Flu is a major public health threat and poses a risk to everyone, including healthy children, teens, adults and those who are pregnant. The CDC recommends that those six months of age and older get a flu vaccine every season. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. It’s best to speak with your health care provider to determine which flu vaccine you should get.
While most who become infected with the flu virus recover without serious complications, the COVID-19 pandemic has created serious concerns of a possible “twindemic” due to a wave of COVID-19 peaking during flu season, which that could place excess strain on the health care system.
With COVID-19 still spreading in our communities, limiting the spread of the flu is critical, not only for patients, but for health care facilities, as well. Influenza has overwhelmed health care systems on its own in past seasons, so adding flu on top of COVID-19 this winter could be devastating to these facilities and to communities.
If you have not gotten the COVID-19 vaccine yet, you can get it at the same time as the flu vaccine. Anyone 5 years of age and older are eligible to get free COVID-19 vaccines. By choosing to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, you are helping to protect yourself and those around you from these diseases. The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death from these illnesses.
People who are at a higher risk for developing influenza-related complications are strongly urged by the CDC and health officials to get vaccinated against the flu.
Those considered at higher risk of having complications from the flu include:
- Children younger than 5, especially children younger than 2 years old.
- Adults 65 years of age and older.
- Pregnant people and people up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy.
- Children and adults with chronic diseases, such as lung, heart disease, liver, and kidney diseases, blood disorders, and/or diabetes.
- People with neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions.
- Individuals who are obese with a body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher.
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
- People from certain racial and ethnic minority groups are at increased risk for hospitalization with flu, including non-Hispanic Black persons, Hispanic or Latino persons, and American Indian or Alaska Native persons
- And more.
When should I get the flu vaccine?
It’s recommended that folks get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begin spreading in your community, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu. Flu activity in the U.S. generally occurs from October through May, with peak activity typically occurring sometime between December and February. For that reason, the CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, so that they are protected before flu season begins. Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.
Where can I get the flu vaccine?
With the rapid spread of COVID-19, health officials are increasing efforts to make sure flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are made available to everyone, especially those at a higher risk. Many clinics and pharmacies offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Many health departments and community health centers also offer community vaccination clinics. Click here find flu vaccine locations and here to find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you.
For more information about flu vaccination, talk to a health care provider or visit www.cdc.gov/flu.