Tl;Dr: Yes! Except for a very few exceptions, flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Read on for information about what to expect for this year’s flu season, updates about the flu vaccine, when to get the shot, and why getting the flu vaccine is so important!
Influenza is actually a serious illness. Sometimes people say “they had the flu” when they mean they had a bad cold, but it is just not the same. Influenza is a specific illness caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms come on suddenly and usually include fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles, and feeling wiped out. It feels like being hit by a train. And some folks can get really sick from flu. People can develop pneumonia, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), sepsis (a life-threatening response to an infection), and even die. In this US during the 2022-2023 flu season, about 31 million people got the flu, 360,000 were hospitalized, and 21,000 people died. Worldwide, 290,000 to 650,000 people die from influenza every year.
The good news is we have a safe and effective vaccine against influenza! The bad news is that only about 49% of eligible people in the US got their flu shot last season. Even with this low uptake, the CDC estimates that flu vaccination prevented 6 million flu-related illnesses, 2.9 million medical visits, 65,000 hospitalizations, and 3,700 deaths.
❓ Who Should Get the Flu Shot?
Pretty much everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine. There are very few medical reasons not to get a flu shot. Having severe allergy to a prior flu shot would be one of them. If you think you might have a contraindication to the flu shot, talk with your primary care clinician. There are lots of formulations of the flu vaccine and a different one might work well for you.
People who are 65 years and older should receive the high dose vaccine or other types of flu vaccines that are modified to create a stronger immune response than the regular flu shot. About 70% of flu related deaths in the US are in folks 65 years and older and these enhanced vaccines can help protect older adults more. As of 2024, people aged 18 to 64 who have had an organ transplant are also candidates for the high dose or enhanced vaccine because they might not get as much immune protection from the standard dose vaccine.
❓ Does the Flu Shot Work?
Absolutely. The effectiveness of the vaccine changes from year to year and depends on how well the flu shot matches the circulating virus. In seasons when the vaccine is well-matched to the circulating strains of flu, vaccination can reduce your risk of catching the flu by 60% or more. Last year, the effectiveness was 46% across all ages. While this number might feel low, preventing flu illness by 46% is a LOT of prevented flu. Flu shots also reduce the risk of hospitalization or death if you do get the flu. A 2018 study showed that adults who were vaccinated for flu had 82% less risk of being admitted to the ICU. A 2021 study showed that vaccinated adults who were hospitalized for the flu were 31% less likely to die of it. In kids, flu vaccination reduced the risk of life-threatening influenza by 75% according to a 2022 study.
❓ When Should I Get the Flu Shot?
For most people, it is recommended to get the flu shot in September or October. This is because the immune response to the vaccine wanes over time and we want to maximize your immunity during the peak of flu season (usually between December and February).
Some children need 2 doses of the shot. These are kids ages 6 months to 8 years who have never had the flu shot before OR have not had at least 2 doses of flu vaccine at some point in their lives. Everyone else only needs one dose. Pregnant people in their third trimester and kiddos who need 2 doses might wish to get the vaccine a little earlier.
❓ Is the Flu Shot Safe in Pregnancy?
Yes! Pregnant people are at higher risk for developing severe illness and complications from the flu. Vaccination during pregnancy reduces the risk of influenza for both the pregnant person and their newborn during the first months of life.
❓ Can You Get a Flu Shot if You are Allergic to Eggs?
Yes again! Any vaccine (even the ones made in eggs) can be given to someone with an egg allergy. Studies that looked at people with egg allergy who received an egg-based vaccine have not found any cases of anaphylaxis or serious allergic reactions. If you are still nervous about it, there are flu shots made totally egg-free.
❓ Can I Get the Flu Shot at the Same Time as Other Vaccines, like the COVID Shot?
Yep! There is no reason that you can’t get both at the same time. They are usually given in two different sites on the body (for example, one in the right arm and the other in the left). Some people might have more “reactogenicity” symptoms if given both together, meaning they may experience more physical symptoms of the immune system kicking in and ramping up (like headache, fatigue, fever, or sore arms). While that wouldn’t be dangerous, it could feel lousy. If people are just not up for that, they may wish to space out their vaccines by a couple of weeks. Others may wish to just power through, and both are fine options!
❓ Any Other Interesting Update in the Flu Shot World!
Indeed, there is! In the past few years, flu vaccines typically target 4 different flu strains. This year, all the vaccines will only target 3 strains. This is because one of the strains we used to vaccinate against (called influenza B/Yamagata) became extinct! There have been NO confirmed detections of this strain since March 2020. We have eradicated this particular strain of flu! That’s just super cool.
As always, ask your primary care clinician or local pharmacist about any questions you have regarding the flu shot and what is right for you!
Stay safe. Stay well.
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls
Links:
ACIP Recommendations on Immunization Practices 2024-25 Influenza Season
Influenza Vaccination Coverage for Persons 6 Months and Older
