When should you get your flu shot?

When should you get your flu shot?

 

"What you should do is get it as soon as you can and in the most expeditious manner," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer last week.   A potentially early and severe flu season could result from relaxed pandemic safety measures and the population's reduced immunity to the flu after months of avoiding situations where viruses can spread, the CDC says.   Flu season typically lasts from October to May in the Northern Hemisphere, and from April to September in the Southern Hemisphere, according to the CDC. The best time to get a flu vaccine – which reduces the risk of serious flu-related illness, hospitalization or death – is any time between September and the end of October, the CDC suggests.   "People who are older, with compromised immune systems, may have waning immunity, and so sometimes are (advised not) to get their flu vaccines too early," said CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen. "However, 'too early' generally refers to August. October – essentially now – is entirely fine for these individuals to get vaccinated."   Even if flu activity is low in your community right now, you shouldn't wait for a surge in cases to be the reason you get a flu shot. Flu activity could increase at any time, according to the CDC. "Remember, after you are vaccinated, your body takes about two weeks to develop any antibodies that protect against flu," the CDC notes.   ➕ Yes, you can have Covid-19 and the flu at the same time. Here’s what that could look like