As summer fades and flu season approaches, pharmacies are once again posting signs for flu vaccinations — a reminder that protection against the virus is essential. Each year, influenza kills tens of thousands of Americans and hospitalizes hundreds of thousands more.
Who should get vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu shots for everyone 6 months and older, including healthy individuals with no underlying conditions. Immunity from last year’s vaccine fades over time, and shots are reformulated annually to target circulating strains.
The main exception is for people with severe allergies to vaccine ingredients. In such cases, a doctor may still identify a safe alternative.
Eligibility this year
The Food and Drug Administration has not changed eligibility requirements. Unlike with COVID-19 vaccines, flu shot recommendations remain the same.
Best time to get the shot
Experts advise vaccination between late September and October. “Try to get vaccinated before Halloween,” said Dr. William Schaffner, infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Although pharmacies may offer shots as early as July, doctors caution against getting vaccinated too soon, as protection can wane before peak flu activity in December through February. Still, experts stress that it is never too late to benefit from the vaccine.
Pairing flu shots with other vaccines
It is safe to receive a flu shot alongside a COVID-19 vaccine, though recipients may experience additional soreness. Many health officials encourage combining appointments to avoid missing doses.
Certain groups should also consider the RSV vaccine, including adults 75 and older, adults 50 and older with risk factors, and pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks during flu season.
“These respiratory diseases spread around the same time, and the people most vulnerable to one are often vulnerable to the others,” said Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health.
Cost and coverage
For those with insurance, flu shots are typically free. Pharmacies may charge uninsured patients anywhere from $20 to over $100, depending on the vaccine type. Some public health clinics provide them at no cost.
Effectiveness of the flu vaccine
Effectiveness varies annually, depending on how closely the vaccine matches circulating strains. Last season, CDC data showed flu shots were 41% to 78% effective at preventing hospitalizations and 32% to 60% effective against less severe infections.
Even when the flu is not fully prevented, vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness. “Each year, millions of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths are prevented by vaccination,” Dr. Schaffner said.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and short-lived, including arm soreness, fatigue, fever, headache and muscle aches. Rare complications, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, occur in one or two cases per million doses — far less common than severe outcomes from flu itself.
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