Is it too early to get the flu shot?

According to the CDC, it's time to start queuing for the flu vaccine. Of course, it is still summer. It is still warm enough to lounging around the pool and you should always protect yourself from sunscreen or risk getting burned.

But the CDC advises all adults and children (over the age of six months) to receive an influenza vaccine by the end of October. According to the CDC, getting vaccinated before the flu season may well offer the best protection. But not everyone agrees that this is the best plan, especially for the elderly.

"You should get a flu shot before the flu spreads in your community," says the CDC. "It takes about two weeks after the vaccination for antibodies that protect against the flu to develop in the body, so plan to get vaccinated early in the fall."

However, the timing of the shot is not a big problem. Certainly, there are those who fear to be vaccinated too early for their immunity to disappear well before the months of January and February of severe flu are in full force. Some studies suggest that vaccines lose their protection during a single influenza season. According to NPR reports, in people over 65, the protective effect may fade more quickly than in young people. Seniors may want to think about it before doing the little thing.

"The data is very mixed," says Dr. John J. Treanor, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Rochester's School of Medicine. "So, some might worry that if [they] he's vaccinated very early and the flu did not come out until very late, it might not work as well, "he told NPR. But other studies show that "you still have protection against the blow you had last year," adds Treanor.

It should also be noted that the flu vaccine is far from perfect. Last year, it was only about 36%. However, the shot, which has been modified in the hope of targeting the current strains of the virus, is generally more effective in children. The good news is that standard vaccines and nasal sprays are recommended for the 2018-19 season.

The CDC notes the possibility that "delaying vaccination may allow for greater immunity later in the season," but argues that "postponement could lead to missed immunization opportunities."

The vaccine recall follows last year's particularly intense influenza season, which, according to the Pediatric Academy, was the third worst since 2003-2004 and the first to be ranked among the most severe.

More than 700,000 people were hospitalized during last season and about 180 children died, CNBC points out. About 80% of children who died of influenza last season were not vaccinated.

It is impossible to predict what will be the flu season this year, but the usual precautions must be taken. In addition to getting vaccinated, wash your hands, cover your cough and stay home so you do not go to school or work if you get sick. Refueling for coughs and tissues will not hurt either.