Published in October 2022. Some CDC flu vaccine guidance, including advice for people with egg allergies, has changed since then; check the CDC for current recommendations.

Flu season is coming, and the best way to protect yourself against the flu is a yearly influenza vaccination.

Flu vaccination has many important benefits, such as fewer flu illnesses and fewer visits to the doctor. Most importantly, it can decrease the severity of symptoms as well as flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people 6 months and older should get an annual influenza vaccine, with certain exceptions (please talk to your doctor).

Who is at higher risk from the flu?

Influenza vaccination is especially important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from an influenza infection. According to the CDC, this includes:

  • Young children
  • People with asthma
  • Neurologic and neurodevelopmental conditions
  • Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
  • Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
  • Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
  • Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
  • Kidney diseases
  • Liver disorders
  • Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
  • People who are obese, with a body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher
  • People younger than 19 years old on long-term aspirin- or salicylate-containing medications
  • People with a weakened immune system due to disease (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or some cancers such as leukemia) or medications (such as those receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, or people with chronic conditions requiring chronic corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress the immune system)
  • People with a history of stroke
  • Pregnant people and people up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy
  • People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
  • People from certain racial and ethnic minority groups who are at increased risk for hospitalization with flu, including non-Hispanic Black persons, Hispanic or Latino persons, and American Indian or Alaska Native persons

Who should not get the flu vaccine?

People who should not get a flu shot include:

  • Children younger than 6 months of age.
  • People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins) should not get that vaccine. This might include gelatin, antibiotics or other ingredients.
  • People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine should not get that flu vaccine again and might not be able to receive other influenza vaccines. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine in the past, it is important to talk with your health care provider to help determine whether vaccination is appropriate for you.

When is the best time to be vaccinated against flu?

For most people, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against flu. It takes about two weeks after vaccination to develop antibodies that protect against the flu.

Some individuals may benefit from two flu vaccines per season.

Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different age groups and patient populations. People should talk to their doctor before getting a flu shot, especially if:

  • You have an allergy to eggs or any of the ingredients in the vaccine. Talk to your doctor about your allergy.
  • You have ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS). Some people with a history of GBS should not get a flu vaccine. Talk to your doctor about your GBS history.
  • You have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of any other flu vaccine. Talk to your health care provider.
  • You are not feeling well. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

This article is general information, not advice for your situation. Members can call the office with questions about their own care.