With flu activity increasing and family and friends planning gatherings for the holidays, now is a great time to get a flu vaccine if you haven’t been vaccinated yet this season. A flu vaccine can protect you and your loved ones from the flu. Here are some helpful facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get you motivated to protect yourself and your loved ones this season.
You need the 2016-2017 flu vaccine for optimal protection against the flu this season for two reasons. First, flu viruses are constantly changing, and this season’s vaccines have been updated to protect against the viruses that surveillance data indicate will be most common this flu season. Second, a person’s immune protection from vaccine declines over time, so an annual flu vaccination is needed for the best protection against the flu.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection. While seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, flu activity is usually highest between December and February, though activity can last as late as May.
People of every age, including people in good health, are at risk of flu. As long as flu activity is ongoing, it’s not too late to get vaccinated, even in January or later. To find a place near you to get a flu vaccine, go to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder. Also, visit the CDC for their Frequently Asked Flu Questions 2016-2017 Season to learn more.