Now Is the Best Time to Get Your Flu Shot

Doctors often advise getting a flu vaccine before Halloween, but this year, experts warn an early flu wave may start sooner. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an increase in flu cases among Americans recently. Emphasizing the importance of early vaccination, Emily Martin, an epidemiology professor at the University of Michigan, explains that flu cases typically surge after college students return from campus break and as kids go back to school.

Martin emphasizes that getting the flu shot now is advisable, as it takes about two weeks for maximum protection. October is ideal for vaccination, offering protection through flu season's peak in January and February. While the vaccine's effectiveness wanes over time, it remains more beneficial than not getting vaccinated. Martin plans to get vaccinated next week.

The flu vaccine comes in shot and nasal spray forms. This year, an mRNA-based flu shot, mFlusiva, developed by Moderna, is available. Studies show it's up to 27% more effective than other vaccines. The FDA approved mFlusiva for individuals 50 and older. Annual flu shots are crucial as flu strains evolve, and immunity decreases over time. Flu vaccination in 2024-2025 prevented 10 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 12,000 deaths in the U.S.

Despite declining flu shot rates, the CDC still recommends annual vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Recent attempts by the Trump Administration to reduce recommended vaccines have been blocked by federal judges. Dr. Ashlesha Kaushik, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, stresses the importance of vaccines, noting they reduce flu-related death risks by 80% in children.