When Should You Get Your Flu Shot?
Flu season is sneaking up on us, and now is the perfect time to think about protecting yourself. When should you get your flu shot?
Influenza might feel like a minor, yearly nuisance, but it’s actually a serious illness that affects millions each year. The flu vaccine isn’t just about avoiding a few days of feeling crummy—it can reduce medical visits, hospitalizations, and even the risk of severe complications. And here’s the good news: even if you do end up catching the flu, being vaccinated can help make your symptoms milder and your recovery quicker.
You don’t have to choose between protection from the flu and COVID-19 either—you can get your flu shot and COVID booster at the same visit. Since it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to reach full effectiveness, now is the time to head to your local pharmacy and get your shot with plenty of time to spare before flu season ramps up in October.
Why the Flu Vaccine Matters for Everyone
Despite the many benefits, only about half of Americans get a flu shot each year. That leaves millions of people vulnerable to an illness that causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths annually. By getting vaccinated, you’re not just protecting yourself—you’re helping reduce the overall impact of flu on your community. Every shot counts toward keeping more people healthy.
Even If You Get Sick, the Vaccine Helps
Flu vaccination can also make a big difference if you do get sick. Vaccinated adults hospitalized with flu have a significantly lower risk of ICU admission and spent fewer days in the hospital compared with those who were unvaccinated. Simply put, the flu shot can make the illness milder and your recovery faster.
Protecting Vulnerable People
Getting vaccinated isn’t just about our own health—it’s about protecting the people around us. Children, pregnant individuals, and people with chronic health conditions face higher risks from the flu.
Vaccination helps reduce those risks: it lowers the chance of severe illness in children, safeguards both parent and baby during early pregnancy, and helps prevent complications and hospitalizations for those with chronic conditions. By getting a flu shot, we’re not only protecting ourselves—we’re adding a layer of protection for those who need it most.
Protecting Your Loved Ones and Community
Flu protection goes beyond high-risk groups—it extends to everyone we interact with daily. The flu can spread even before symptoms appear, meaning we could unknowingly pass it to friends, coworkers, or family. While anyone can get sick, the consequences are often more serious for children, older adults, and people managing chronic conditions.
By getting vaccinated, we lower our chances of becoming silent carriers. That simple step keeps our loved ones safer and slows the spread of flu in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
Stay Ahead of Flu Season
So, when should you get your flu shot? The best protection comes from getting vaccinated early, before flu activity begins to rise. Early vaccination protects us, helps safeguard our loved ones, and contributes to a healthier community overall.
Flu season doesn’t have to take us by surprise. Schedule a vaccine with your local pharmacy today—a simple visit can make a meaningful difference for your health and the people around you this season.
