Key Takeaways
\nFlu shots are now available at many pharmacies, doctors\u2019 offices, and clinics around the country.The vaccine is the most effective way to protect against severe illness and death from flu.Despite the changes to COVID vaccine eligibility this year, the CDC and professional medical organizations still recommend everyone get the vaccine this fall.<\/p>\n
Federal health agencies are expected to make substantial changes to vaccine guidance this fall. However, the flu vaccine recommendation remains the same: everyone older than 6 months should get an annual flu shot.\n<\/p>\n
As many as 1.3 million Americans were hospitalized with the flu in the last flu season, and up to 130,000 people died from the disease.\n<\/p>\n
The flu shot is both safe and life-saving, said Aaron Glatt, MD<\/a>, chair of the department of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital.\n<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you need to know as you prepare for your flu shot this year.<\/p>\n Who’s Eligible for the Flu Shot This Year? <\/p>\n There are no differences in who can get a flu vaccine<\/a> this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends it for all people ages 6 months or older, with rare exceptions.\n<\/p>\n The CDC\u2019s changes to COVID-10 vaccine recommendations<\/a> don\u2019t apply to flu vaccines. The agency\u2019s advisory panel is scheduled to meet in late September to discuss routine vaccines against COVID and other diseases, but not the flu vaccine.\n<\/p>\n When Should You Get the Flu Shot? <\/p>\n The vaccines are available now in many pharmacies, clinics, and doctors\u2019 offices across the country. Flu cases typically pick up in October and peak in February, though that varies by year and region.\n<\/p>\n Glatt said it\u2019s wise to get your flu shot sooner rather than later to ensure you\u2019re protected when flu rears its head in your community.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cYou should have very good immunity in September that will last you through the flu season. Waiting until October isn’t necessarily a dangerous thing if there’s no flu around, but you probably want to have immunity when flu comes to your region,\u201d Glatt said.\n<\/p>\n He added that it’s still worthwhile to get the flu shot even if you haven\u2019t gotten one by the end of October. Flu circulates in most places until April, and it\u2019s helpful to be protected through the winter and early spring.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Can You Get It the Same Time as Your COVID Shot? <\/p>\n Since the COVID vaccines debuted in 2021, the CDC and medical groups have said that people can safely get the COVID and flu shots at the same time without diminishing their effectiveness.\n<\/p>\n In a late August memo<\/a>, the FDA\u2019s top vaccine official said he \u201ccannot affirm\u201d that co-administering the vaccines is safe and effective and that the agency would start requiring vaccine makers to run clinical trials before making that claim.\n<\/p>\n Joseph Bresee, MD<\/a>, director of respiratory virus prevention and preparedness at The Task Force for Global Health, said that there is sound evidence that the practice is safe and people should feel comfortable getting their COVID and flu shots in the same visit while the FDA collects more data.\n<\/p>\n \u201cMore importantly, the ability to get vaccines together during the same visit creates an opportunity to expand the reach of these vaccines,\u201d Bresee told Verywell. \u201cIf you make folks come back for one vaccine and then another vaccine in two weeks, you may lose some folks and miss the opportunity to get them vaccinated.\u201d\n<\/p>\n How Much Will the Flu Shot Cost? <\/p>\n If you have health insurance, the flu vaccine should be free to you. Insurers are required to cover all vaccines recommended by the CDC\u2019s advisory panel.\n<\/p>\n If you are uninsured, the cost for a shot at a pharmacy could be as low as $20 or over $100. Many cities offer low- or no-cost vaccines to people without insurance at public health clinics.\n<\/p>\n Can You Get a Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Instead? <\/p>\n