The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends September and October as the best months to get vaccinated.
SAN DIEGO — Health experts are advising the public to get their flu shots starting now through the end of October to ensure optimal protection during the peak flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends September and October as the best months to get vaccinated.
“I would encourage that everybody get it so that you don’t catch it and end up spreading it,” said Dr. William Tseng, Kaiser’s Assistant Area Medical Director.
According to the CDC, it takes about two weeks after vaccination for immunity to develop, and protection typically lasts four to six months. Getting vaccinated too early, such as in July or August, may result in decreased immunity by March, when flu activity can still be high.
“The reason CDC said September and October is because the vaccine takes about two weeks to ramp up and then lasts for about four to six months, and if you get it too early, probably by March or something like that, your immunity wanes and you don’t get as much of the protection,” Tseng said.
CDC data shows that peak flu season typically occurs between October and March, with the highest activity from December through March. Health officials are particularly concerned about this upcoming flu season, as indicators from the Southern Hemisphere suggest an earlier and more severe outbreak.
“Australia had a worse season in five years. It came faster, so earlier, and it came harder,” Tseng said.
The CDC recommends flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, with a particular emphasis on high-risk groups such as people 65 years and older, children under 2, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
While the flu vaccine does not provide complete protection, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and death. Dr. Tseng emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, “Turning the wild disease to something mild that’s tolerable. That’s what the flu vaccine does so well.”
He also urged people to consider others when deciding to get vaccinated: “And if not for yourself, do it for your family. Do it for people who are more immunocompromised, who can get sick and die from it much easier than you.”
As flu vaccination rates have been declining, health officials are stressing the importance of timely vaccination to help mitigate the potential impact of what could be an early and severe flu season.
news/local/working-for-you/health-officials-urge-people-to-get-flu-shot-before-end-of-october/509-3f97c8c0-3fce-4489-8fad-1e33d5bccf62″>Source link