As summer comes to an end, flu season is just around the corner. While the flu can affect anyone, it can be more serious for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
One of the best ways to prepare for flu season is simple: get your annual flu vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every season, with rare exceptions. A flu vaccine can lower your risk of getting sick and may reduce the risk of serious complications if you do get the flu.
When Is Flu Season?
Flu viruses can spread throughout the year, but they usually circulate more during the fall and winter. In the United States, flu activity often peaks between December and February, although the timing can vary from year to year.
That makes fall a good time to start thinking about your flu shot.
For most people, September and October are good months to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October when possible. However, if you miss that window, getting a flu shot later can still provide protection.
Why Get a Flu Vaccine?
The flu is more than a bad cold. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some people can develop complications that require medical care or hospitalization.
According to the CDC, millions of people get the flu each year, and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized because of flu-related illness.
The flu vaccine is designed to reduce your risk of getting sick and help protect against serious complications.
The numbers show just how much vaccination can help. During the 2024–2025 flu season, the CDC estimates that flu vaccination prevented approximately:
- 10 million flu illnesses
- 5 million flu-related medical visits
- 180,000 flu-related hospitalizations
- 12,000 flu-related deaths
The CDC puts it simply: “The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get a flu vaccine every year.”
Can You Still Get the Flu After a Flu Shot?
Yes. Getting a flu shot does not guarantee that you will never get the flu.
Flu vaccine effectiveness can vary from season to season. It depends on factors such as the flu viruses circulating that year, how closely those viruses match the vaccine, and a person’s age and overall health.
Even so, vaccination can provide important protection. People who are vaccinated and still get the flu may have a lower risk of severe illness and other serious outcomes.
It also takes about two weeks for your body to develop antibodies after getting vaccinated. Getting your flu shot before flu activity increases gives your body time to build protection.
Flu Prevention Goes Beyond the Vaccine
Getting your flu shot is an important step, but it is not the only way to help prevent the spread of flu.
The CDC recommends several everyday habits that can help protect you and those around you during flu season:
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If someone around you has flu symptoms, give them space when possible.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or your elbow instead of your hands to help prevent the spread of germs.
- Stay home when you are sick. Staying home when you are ill can help keep the flu from spreading to coworkers, friends, classmates, and family members.
- Take care of your health. Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and managing existing health conditions can all support your overall health.
These simple habits can help reduce your risk of flu and other respiratory illnesses during the fall and winter.
Know the Signs of the Flu
Even with prevention, you may still get sick. Knowing the common symptoms of flu can help you decide when to seek care.
Common flu symptoms include:
- Fever or feeling feverish
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Some people may also experience vomiting or diarrhea, although these symptoms are more common in children than adults.
Flu symptoms can come on suddenly and may be more intense than the symptoms of a typical cold.
If you are sick and your symptoms are severe, getting worse, or causing concern, an urgent care visit may be appropriate. Urgent care can also help evaluate symptoms and determine whether additional treatment or testing is needed.
Don’t Wait for Flu Season to Start
Flu season can arrive before you expect it. Getting your flu shot in September or October can give your body time to build protection before flu activity increases.
And if you have not gotten your vaccine by October, don’t assume you have missed your chance. The CDC recommends vaccination throughout the flu season as long as flu viruses are circulating and vaccine is available.
The bottom line is simple: prepare before flu season is in full swing.
Talk with your health care provider about the flu vaccine and the best timing for you. If you do become sick, pay attention to your symptoms and seek medical care when needed.
A little prevention now can help you stay healthier throughout the months ahead.
