Can I Wait to See if There’s Lots of Flu Where I Live Before Getting Vaccinated?
Trying to sync your flu shot with flu activity in your area is not only difficult, it may also leave you vulnerable. The virus can start spreading at any time, and that can be hard to predict.
Is It Ever Too Late to Get the Flu Vaccine?
It’s never too late to get a flu shot, says Chen. As long as flu viruses are still circulating, it’s still worth getting vaccinated, even if it’s February or March.
“This year, it’s recommended that you get the flu shot in the fall, but if for some reason you wait until later in the season, you should still get it,” he adds.
How Effective Will This Year’s Flu Vaccine Be?
Each year, an advisory committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews and updates the composition of U.S. flu vaccines to best match the viral strains expected to be the most common during the upcoming season.
The vaccine’s effectiveness depends on the accuracy of this match, and it’s too early to know exactly how good this year’s prediction will be.
“Despite not being perfect, the data show that vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself against seasonal influenza,” says Tony Moody, MD, professor of pediatrics, infectious diseases at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, and director of the Duke CIVICs Vaccine Center.
Can I Get a Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine at the Same Time?
Although getting multiple vaccines at the same time won’t change their efficacy, you might be more likely to experience side effects.
What Are the Most Common Side Effects of the Flu Shot?
Should I Be Worried About a Flu Vaccine Shortage?
The flu vaccine is produced by private manufacturers, and so supply depends on those companies. Those manufacturers have projected that they will provide the United States with about 148 million flu doses for 2024–2025.
Is It Really Okay to Get a Flu Shot at a Pharmacy or Grocery Store?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to get your flu shot at your local pharmacy or grocery store, says Chen.
The online directory VaccineFinder can show you locations in your area that offer flu vaccines. Note that these are free with most insurance.
Is the Flu Season Expected to Be Bad This Year?
Experts often look at flu rates in the Southern Hemisphere to project what the season might be like in the United States.
The Southern Hemisphere influenza season was similar to past seasons in scope and severity, says Michael Ben-Aderet, MD, associate medical director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.
“Some nations had higher severity than others, which is normal. In Australia, for example, we saw a trend similar to the prior year, and in-line with pre-pandemic averages. I think we can expect something similar in the Northern Hemisphere this season,” says Dr. Ben-Aderet.
Is It True That Getting a Flu Shot Can Give You the Flu?
Most years only about half of Americans get flu shots, notes Chen. “The most common reason that I hear about why people don’t want a flu shot is that they got a flu shot once and got the flu afterward,” he says. “Let me be clear: Flu shots do not give you the flu.”
