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When is it too late to get a flu shot?

·Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH for GoodRx

A sign in front of a drugstore advertising the availability of flu vaccines in New York, USA. — rblfmr // Shutterstock
A sign in front of a drugstore advertising the availability of flu vaccines in New York, USA. — rblfmr // Shutterstock
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As the colder seasons approach, many people start preparing for fall and winter routines. For most people, this should include getting a yearly flu shot. The flu vaccine is effective and safe and provides protection against flu illness — both for you and for those around you.

Getting a flu vaccine can keep you from missing work or school due to illness. The flu vaccine also protects you against severe symptoms, which could require hospitalization. And the flu vaccine can be lifesaving for people at greater risk. This includes pregnant women, older adults, and children, as well as people with chronic medical conditions.

But what if it’s already flu season, or you’ve already had the flu? Is it ever too late to get the flu shot? Below, GoodRx, a platform for medication savings, has the answers.

Key takeaways:

  • The best time to get a flu shot is right before flu season starts. Flu season usually starts by the end of October. 
  • The flu shot is safe, effective, and recommended for most people. 
  • The flu shot protects you even if you’ve already had the flu. So it’s almost never too late to get a flu shot.   

Is it too late to get a flu shot?

It’s almost never too late to get a flu shot. A flu shot will provide protection as long as the flu is circulating in the community. Since the flu circulates until late May in most parts of the U.S., even getting your shot in late winter or early spring will help keep you healthy.

When is the best time to get a flu shot?

The best time to get a flu shot is right before flu season begins, which usually means in September or October. In most areas of the U.S., flu season is from October through May. Peak activity is usually from December through February.

It’s best to get your flu shot by the end of October. It takes two weeks for your immune system to fully respond to a vaccine. So, it’s important to plan accordingly and get the vaccine before flu activity increases in your community.

Early vaccination — that is, getting a flu shot in July or August — is sometimes an option. This can make sense for young children who need two doses of the flu vaccine in the same year. You may also benefit from early vaccination if you’re pregnant or close to delivery.

But, in general, most people shouldn’t get vaccinated early. The flu shot gets less effective over time, so it works best if you wait until closer to flu season.

How long does the flu shot last?

It’s not clear exactly how long a flu shot lasts. Studies show that vaccine protection likely lasts at least six months for most people — but fades over time. That’s why it’s important to get a yearly flu shot for the best protection against the flu virus during flu season.

Should you get a flu shot if you’ve already had the flu?

Yes, you should get a flu shot if you’ve already had the flu. Every year, several strains of flu spread through communities. Immunity to one strain of flu doesn’t protect you against other strains.

That means you can get the flu more than once in a single year. The flu shot is designed to protect you against several of the most troublesome strains each season. So it makes sense to get vaccinated even if you’ve already recovered from the flu.

Where to get a flu shot

Flu vaccines are widely available during the flu season. There are many places you can go to get a flu shot, including:

  • Your doctor’s office 
  • Most large chain retail pharmacies 
  • Drive-thru flu-shot clinics 
  • Pop-up flu-shot clinics at community centers and hospitals 
  • Your local health department 

There’s no “right” place to get the flu shot. You can go to any licensed healthcare professional offering a licensed flu vaccine. 

When not to get a flu shot

Just about everyone should get a flu shot. However, the flu shot isn’t recommended for:

  • Anyone with a severe allergy or anaphylaxis to the flu vaccine or its ingredients 
  • Infants younger than 6 months old 

Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome should talk with their healthcare team before getting a flu shot.

In rare situations, the risks of the flu shot can outweigh the benefits. In these cases, people need to talk with their healthcare team before getting a flu shot.

The flu shot is safe for people with egg allergies. Before 2023, people with egg allergies needed to take special precautions when getting a flu shot, but according to the CDC, that’s no longer the case.

If you or your child is sick on the day of your flu shot appointment, make sure you let the healthcare professional know. Some people can still get vaccinated if they only have a minor illness. In some cases, rescheduling the flu shot may be recommended.

Frequently asked questions

Is it too late to get a flu shot in January?

No, it's not too late to get a flu shot in January. In the U.S., the flu tends to stick around through May. You can even get the flu in the summer. Getting a flu shot in January still provides important protection.

Can you get a flu shot anytime during the year?

Yes, you can get the flu shot pretty much any time of the year. But keep in mind that you’re more likely to have better protection if you get a flu vaccine right before the start of flu season, around September or October. Protection goes down over time, so the idea is to make sure you’re protected during the peak of flu season.

How effective is the flu shot this year​?

The flu shot’s effectiveness varies from season to season, depending on how well the vaccine matches the strains actually circulating. In seasons with a good match, flu vaccination cuts the risk of a flu-related healthcare visit by 40% to 60%. But one thing holds up every year: Even when the match is imperfect, the vaccine still lowers your odds of severe illness and hospitalization.

Does the flu shot make you sick?

No, the flu shot doesn’t make you sick with the flu. Flu shots contain inactivated (killed) virus or single viral proteins. Neither of these can cause a flu infection. Some people can feel ill after a flu shot with: 

  • Low-grade fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue

But that's your immune system responding to the shot, not the flu. 

What to avoid after a flu shot​?

There’s not much you need to avoid after a flu shot. That being said, you may want to skip heavy arm workouts if your arm is sore and avoid alcohol for a day or so. Alcohol can cause dehydration, which could make any side effects feel worse.

The bottom line

The best time to get a flu shot is two weeks before the flu season begins — usually by the end of October. But it’s really never too late to get a flu shot, as the virus is normally circulating in communities through May of each year. The flu vaccine can keep people safe from flu illness, and it’s lifesaving for people at risk for severe flu disease. The flu shot is recommended for nearly everyone older than 6 months.

This story was produced by GoodRx and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.