The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the best time to receive the flu vaccine is from September until the end of October. The CDC emphasizes that getting the flu vaccine reduces the risks of serious complications associated with the flu, hospitalizations, or death. According to CNN, the flu season typically runs from October to May in the Northern Hemisphere and from April to September in the Southern Hemisphere, according to the CDC.
The CDC confirmed that an early and potentially severe flu season could result from easing pandemic safety measures and decreased immunity against the flu after months of avoiding situations where viruses could spread. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, advised, "What you should do is get vaccinated as soon as possible."
The CDC also indicates that even if flu activity is currently low in your community, you should not wait for a sudden spike in cases to find a reason to get vaccinated, as activity can increase at any time. The CDC notes, "Remember, after you get vaccinated, it takes your body about two weeks to develop any antibodies that protect against the flu."
Getting the flu vaccine now can help reduce the burden on the healthcare system as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain health systems worldwide. The CDC stated that some people believe getting the flu or COVID-19 vaccine reduces the risks from both viruses, but this is not the case, as they are different viruses. Therefore, getting the flu vaccine is the best protection against contracting it and avoiding its serious potential complications, while getting the COVID-19 vaccine is also the best protection against that virus.
This year's flu vaccines are designed to protect against four different flu viruses identified by research as the most prevalent, according to the CDC. The CDC added that due to the constantly changing flu viruses, the formulation of flu vaccines is reviewed and updated annually as necessary. Individuals aged six months and older should receive the age-appropriate licensed flu vaccine or nasal spray flu vaccine before the end of October, and according to the CDC, you should not delay vaccination unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
