People at High Risk For Flu Complications | CDC

People at High Risk For Flu Complications | CDC

Why should people get vaccinated against flu?

Flu (Influenza) is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different and flu infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get flu every year. Hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and even the risk of flu-related death.

Who should get vaccinated this season?

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every flu season. Exceptions to this recommendation are rare.

Vaccination to prevent flu is particularly important for people who are at high risk of developing serious flu complications. See People at High Risk For Flu Complications for a full list of age and health factors that put people at increased risk of developing complications.

More information is available at Who Should and Who Should NOT Get a Flu Vaccine.

Where can I get a flu vaccine?

Flu vaccines are offered in many doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies, college health centers, places of employment, and even some schools.

Visit the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to search for a location where you can get a flu vaccine.

When should I get vaccinated?

You should get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begin spreading in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.