The flu vaccine: who, when and the most common questions
Who should get a flu vaccine every season, the best time to get it, how long it takes to protect you and why the vaccine cannot give you the flu.
Every fall the same questions come back: whether it is really necessary, whether it is too late, whether the vaccine makes you sick. Here are the answers, with what the CDC say.
Who should get it
The CDC recommend it for everyone 6 months and older, every season, with rare exceptions. It matters most for older adults, pregnant women, young children and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease, who are at higher risk of complications.
You need it every year: the viruses change from one season to the next, and protection fades over time.
When to get it
According to the CDC, September and October are generally good months, and ideally you should be vaccinated by the end of October. What matters most is getting vaccinated before the virus starts spreading in your community.
If October has passed and you have not had it, do not rule it out: flu season usually lasts for months, and getting vaccinated later is still better than not at all. Ask your doctor.
How long it takes to protect you
It takes the body about two weeks to build antibodies after the vaccine. That is why it is better not to leave it until there is already a lot of flu around, or until the week of a big family gathering.
”The vaccine gives me the flu”
It cannot. The CDC explain that the flu shot uses inactivated, killed viruses, so it cannot give you the flu. The nasal spray uses weakened viruses that cannot cause it either.
What can happen:
- Mild discomfort for a few days, such as a sore arm.
- Getting sick from a virus you caught just before the shot, or in the two weeks it takes to protect you.
- Catching a type of flu that year’s vaccine does not cover.
None of those means the vaccine gave you the flu.
Make the most of the visit
The flu shot is a good moment to catch up on everything else: your tetanus booster, the shingles vaccine if you are 50 or older, or the checkup you were already due for. At our clinic we vaccinate children and adults, in English or Spanish.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine.
This article is general information about our clinic and about the flu vaccine. It is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation with a professional; if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.