Flu is most common in the fall and winter, although people can get it at any time of year. COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may also spread in our communities during flu season.

The flu vaccine helps protect you and the people around you. When more people are vaccinated, the flu has fewer opportunities to spread, which helps protect your family and community.

Getting the flu vaccine each year lowers your chance of getting sick.

Children can get very sick from the flu. Children younger than 5 years old have a higher chance of serious flu illness. Getting your child a flu vaccine each year once they’re age 6 months or older can:

• Lower your child’s chance of getting sick with the flu
• Make symptoms less serious if they do get the flu
• Lower your child’s chance of serious flu illness

Everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year, with limited exceptions. Vaccination is especially important for people who have a higher chance of serious flu illness and for those who live with or care for them.

Vaccination is strongly recommended for:

• Children age 6 months and older
• People who are pregnant
• People who are planning to become pregnant
• People age 50 and older
• People of any age with an ongoing health condition, such as heart disease, chronic lung disease (including asthma or COPD), diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, blood disorders, or a condition that affects the brain, spinal cord, nerves or muscles
• Organ transplant recipients
• People with a weakened immune system, including people with cancer or AIDS
• People who live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
• People who provide care for someone who has a higher chance of serious flu illness, including:
  • Healthcare workers
  • People who live with or regularly spend time with someone who has a higher chance of serious flu illness
  • People who live with or regularly spend time with babies younger than 6 months
  • Family members of people who cannot receive the flu vaccine

Babies under the age of 6 months are too young to get the flu vaccine.

Some people should talk to their doctor before getting the flu vaccine.

This includes:

• People who have a severe, life-threatening allergy to any part of a flu vaccine or who have had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past. Today’s flu vaccines are safe for people with an egg allergy.
• Babies under the age of 6 months.
• People who have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The flu vaccine has been given in the U.S. for more than 50 years.

Before a flu vaccine is approved, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) checks it for safety and how well it works. The FDA also makes sure all vaccines follow strict safety rules.

The vaccine can cause mild side effects. These can include redness, pain or swelling where you got the shot. Severe reactions are extremely rare.

No. The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. The vaccine does not contain a live virus.

How well the flu vaccine works can vary from season to season. Even when it does not prevent the flu, it can still lower your chance of getting sick and reduce the severity of your illness.

• The vaccine lowers your chance of getting the flu.
• If you get the vaccine and still get the flu, the vaccine can make your symptoms milder. You may be less likely to need a doctor visit or hospital care.
• The flu vaccine can help prevent serious flu illness in people with ongoing health conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.
• The flu vaccine helps protect people during and after pregnancy.

The flu vaccine does not work right away. It takes about 2 weeks for your body to build protection. You could be exposed to the flu and get sick during that time.

Also, the flu vaccine does not always keep you from getting the flu. But it should help make your illness milder.

You may also get sick from another respiratory virus, such as COVID-19 or a cold. The flu vaccine only protects against the flu.

Getting vaccinated against the flu is one of the most important ways to help protect yourself and your loved ones.

You can also lower your risk by cleaning your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and staying home when you do not feel well.

Read more helpful information in the HealthBeat article, How to Stay Healthy This Flu Season.

If you still have questions about the flu or flu vaccine, talk with your doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or pharmacist.