When to get the flu shot?

There’s a bigger push to get the flu shot this year. Some patients may want to know when is the best time to get flu shots. Flu season doesn’t start until much later in the year. It may help to know if there are any reasons to get it earlier.

When is flu season?

The most common time for flu season to start is December or early January. It can start as early as October. Peak flu was in January or later for 3/4 flu seasons from 1982–2018. In the Saint Louis area, peak flu for 2016–2017 and 2019–2020 was in early February. It started around the last week of December or 1st week of January. The 2017–2018 season started in the 1st week of December. It peaked around the 1st week of January.

How well do flu shots work?

Early flu shots in July and early August work less well. From 2011–2015, the H3N2 flu shot did not work as well by 7% for each month after its peak. The H1N1 flu shot worked less well by 6-11% every month. A study found that each 28 days after getting the shot, patients were 16% more likely to still get the flu. For example, some patients may get the flu shot 21 weeks before flu season. This means they are more than twice as likely to still get the flu. This is compared to patients who get the flu shot 6 weeks before flu season. Another study looked at the 2011–2012 flu shot. In patients over 65, it worked only 85% as well after 3 months. It mostly did not work after more than 4 months.

Recommendations

Most people 6 months and older should get the flu shot. The CDC says you should get it in September or October before flu season. July or August is too early. There is a chance that it will not work later. Kids from 6 months to 8 years who are getting it for the 1st time should get it when it is ready. They need to get 2 flu shots. They should get the 2nd shot 4 weeks after the 1st. It is better to get the shot than to not get it. With COVID-19 this year, it is more important than ever to get the flu shot. It will lower the chance of going to the hospital or getting sick.

-APPE Student Class of 2021