Overview

• The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older to reduce illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths.
• Public-health guidance points to late September through October as the preferred timing since protection takes about two weeks to develop before cases climb.
• Several experts warn that vaccine effectiveness can wane over months and say getting vaccinated in October may better sustain protection into winter.
• Flu vaccines can be administered at the same visit as COVID-19 and RSV shots, with broad availability at pharmacies, clinics and physicians’ offices.
• Children under 8 receiving their first flu vaccination need two doses at least four weeks apart, with most insurance covering shots and no-cost options through programs like Vaccines for Children.