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According to CDC, influenza (the flu) causes an average of 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States every year. By far, the single best way to prevent influenza is to get a flu shot each fall. |
Getting the flu is far more than a nuisance. Influenza, often called the flu, is a contagious disease that is a major cause of illness and death in the United States. And even if you’re not at risk for complications from the flu, you could easily pass it along to an elderly person, or someone with a compromised immune system – with deadly consequences.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is instrumental in accurately tracking influenza strains around the globe and in providing essential scientific data for updating the influenza vaccine (the flu shot) annually. In the United States, influenza activity can peak any time from December through April, but most commonly peaks in February. By far, the single best way to prevent influenza is to get a flu shot each fall.
CDC recommends that people at high risk for complications from influenza, and those in close contact with them, get the vaccine. In fact, virtually anyone who wants to lower his or her chances of getting influenza can get a flu shot. (Talk with a doctor before getting a flu shot if you’ve ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous flu shot, or if you have a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.)
Influenza viruses change from year to year, which means two things. First, you can get influenza more than once during your lifetime. The immunity built up from having influenza caused by one virus strain doesn’t always hold up when a new strain is circulating. Second, because the strains are constantly changing, the strains contained in the vaccine are updated annually, and the previous year’s vaccine may not provide protection for the current year. In addition, the protective immunity from influenza vaccination wanes over the year, another reason to get an annual flu shot.
The best time to get vaccinated against influenza is from October through November. Avoid getting a flu shot too early, because protection can begin to decline within a few months after getting the shot. You can still benefit from getting a flu shot after November though, even if there’s an influenza outbreak in your community. It takes about two weeks to develop protective immunity after the shot.
The CDC Foundation supports a variety of programs that help CDC protect the public’s health through prevention. Learn more about the Foundation’s healthy lifestyles initiatives or learn how you can help support programs to improve the nation’s health.
Debunking Common Flu Myths
- False: “The shot can give you the flu.” Flu vaccines are made from killed influenza viruses. These viruses cannot give you the flu.
- False: “The side effects are worse than the flu.” The worst side effect you’re likely to get is a sore arm. The risk of a rare allergic reaction is far less than the risk of severe complications from influenza.
- False: “Only the very old and sick need the flu shot.” Even if you aren’t at high risk of complications, if you live with or care for someone at high risk, you should get a flu shot to prevent influenza and to protect your high-risk contacts. In addition, anyone who wants to decrease his or her risk of influenza should get vaccinated.
- False: “December is too late to get a flu shot.” The flu shot can be given before or during the flu season. While the best time to get a flu shot is October or November, a flu shot in December or later will still protect you against the flu.