During an epidemic, when is the best time to get the flu shot?

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that the best time to get a flu shot is from September until the end of October, and the center has confirmed that the flu shot reduces the risk of complications. serious flu-related, hospitalization, or death.

The flu season typically lasts from October through May in the northern hemisphere and April through September in the southern hemisphere, according to the CDC.

The CDC has confirmed that the early and potentially severe flu season may result from the relaxation of epidemiological safety measures and a decrease in people’s immunity to the flu after months of avoiding situations in which viruses can. spread.

Dr Anthony Fauci

For his part, Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the American Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that “what you need to do is get your flu shot as soon as possible.”

According to the CDC, even though influenza activity is currently low in your community, you shouldn’t wait for a sudden increase in cases to find a reason to get the vaccine, as activity can increase at any time.

“Remember that after being vaccinated, it takes your body about two weeks to develop antibodies that protect against the flu,” the CDC noted.

Getting the flu shot now could help reduce the burden the healthcare system faces as the coronavirus pandemic continues to overwhelm healthcare systems around the world.

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The CDC said some people believe that getting a flu or coronavirus shot lowers the risk of both viruses, but that’s not the case because they are different viruses, so getting the flu shot is the way to go. best protection against infection and to avoid its potentially dangerous complications and getting the coronavirus vaccine is also the best protection against the virus.

This year’s flu shots are designed to protect against the four different flu viruses that research shows are the most common, according to the CDC.

The CDC added that because there are many influenza viruses that are constantly evolving, the composition of influenza vaccines is reviewed annually and updated as needed.

People 6 months of age or older should receive an age-appropriate, authorized influenza vaccine or nasal spray influenza vaccine before the end of October, and according to the CDC, you should not delay vaccination unless your doctor tells you otherwise. .