When Is the Best Time to Get a Flu Shot?

Getting a flu vaccination is the number one way to prevent influenza. But when is the best time to get a flu shot? The answer is simple: before flu season starts each year, which typically begins to peak in October.

Health care organizations develop and distribute current flu vaccines to combat the strains circulating each year. However, misinformation exists about how often you should get vaccinated and the best time to get a flu shot.

Continue reading and visit our flu resource hub to help you make informed decisions about protecting you and your family from the flu.

The Basics of Flu Vaccination

The flu shot is a safe, effective tool for preventing influenza in children, adults and older adults. The vaccine prevents millions of influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths every year.

How the Flu Shot Works

The flu shot works by introducing a deactivated strain of flu to your immune system. Over the two-week period after you get vaccinated, your body develops antibodies to fight the virus.

Different Flu Shots for Different Strains of the Flu

Every year, different active flu strains occur. As a result, vaccine manufacturers develop flu shots that fight against several strains at once. These are called quadrivalent flu vaccines.

The Importance of Getting Annual Flu Shots

To best reduce your risk of severe flu, it’s important to get a flu shot each year. Your and your family’s health may depend on it.

Influenza types A and B can both have devastating health consequences. Flu infections can lead to breathing issues, heart failure, secondary infections and other serious problems.

Getting your annual flu shot helps protect yourself and others from these complications. Even if you contract influenza after your vaccination, the antibodies your body developed from the shot will protect you from more serious complications.

Timing Matters: The Best Time to Get a Flu Shot

Flu season starts in the fall, so plan to get your flu shot by the end of October at the latest. It’s also OK to get vaccinated during the peak of flu season.

Some children need two doses of a flu vaccine for it to be effective. Each dose must be spaced four weeks from the next, so we recommend starting the process before October.

The Benefits of Early Flu Vaccination

Flu season starts in fall and it takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot. So, when is the best time to get a flu shot? Aim for as early as September or October. Getting your flu shot early offers benefits for your own health as well as your community’s well-being.

Here’s why early vaccination is key to fighting flu complications. The sooner you can get your flu shot, the better.

Early Immunity to Influenza

By getting your flu shot early in the season, your body builds immunity sooner, greatly reducing your risk of contracting the flu that year.

Longer Flu Protection Duration

The longer you’re vaccinated, the longer you’re protected against the flu and its complications. If you want to ensure you’re safe for as long as possible each flu season, consider early vaccination.

Reduced Risk of Health Complications

Getting your annual flu shot greatly reduces your risk for health complications related to the flu, like bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections or worsening asthma and cardiovascular disease. Early vaccination can offer peace of mind whether you're at high risk for complications or not.

Considerations for Delayed Vaccination

In some cases, early vaccination just isn’t possible. If you have extenuating circumstances, delayed vaccination might be right for you. The best time to get a flu shot is as soon as you have access to the vaccination.

Availability and Accessibility

Sometimes, the annual flu vaccine isn’t available or accessible to everyone immediately. This is especially true in underserved communities. You may have to wait until your local health clinics start offering the vaccine, which could take a few months after flu season begins.

Current Illness

If you’re currently dealing with a viral or bacterial infection, you might not be eligible to get the flu shot right away. In this case, finding a flu testing center near you might be your next best step. Once you feel better, a medical provider can clear you before vaccination to ensure your immune system can handle the shot.

Vaccine Hesitancy

If you’re hesitant about vaccines in general, you may end up waiting to get your flu shot. The best time to get a flu shot is always sooner rather than later, but late vaccination is still better than no vaccination. If you have questions or concerns about the flu vaccine, talk to your primary care provider.

Special Populations and Flu Shot Timing

High-risk populations, like pregnant people and children, may need different flu shot timelines than the general population. Most health care providers recommend getting your flu shot as early as possible if you're pregnant so you can pass some of your flu immunity to your baby, supporting your baby's health for some time after birth.

Immunocompromised individuals should also make every effort to get an early or on-time flu vaccination to reduce their risk of health complications.

As mentioned above, children often need two doses of the flu shot to get full immunity. This may require an early start to the vaccination timeline, with four weeks between each dose. Your child’s pediatrician can help you determine the best starting point for your child’s flu vaccination.

Personalizing Your Decision: Factors to Consider

Getting the flu vaccine is a personal decision that you should make with your health care provider. Some factors that might influence your choice one way or the other may include:

Your Health Status

In rare cases, immunocompromised people or people allergic to vaccine ingredients may be ineligible for flu shots. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for your health.

Upcoming Travel Plans

Travel plans can also delay your vaccination date. You don’t want to feel under the weather while traveling, but you also want to avoid contracting the flu during travel. It’s important to time your flu shot at least two weeks before your travel date to ensure you’re healthy enough to enjoy your trip.

Get Your Flu Shot at AdventHealth Centra Care

The flu shot can be lifesaving while it supports your whole health and promotes overall wellness. Start planning your next flu vaccination with AdventHealth Centra Care. We offer flexible hours and plenty of flu resources so you can stay educated and empowered during flu season.

Schedule an appointment or walk right in for your flu shot or flu testing needs.