The CDC continues to recommend that all individuals age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. The shot will soon be widely available in pharmacies and health clinics. The optimal time to get the vaccine is September or October. Getting your flu shot in these two months allows your body time to develop the strongest immunity against the virus. It takes your immune system two weeks to build up a full army of antibodies.
The vaccine is not guaranteed to prevent you from getting the flu, but it does lower your risk. Another powerful benefit of getting the vaccine is that it’s much less likely you’ll experience a severe flu infection: the kind of infection that can land you in the hospital or intensive care unit.
This is especially true for small children, pregnant individuals, older Americans, and those with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease.
Now is a good time to speak with your healthcare provider about getting a flu shot. For more information, see: HealthDay, Mayo Clinic
