CHARLOTTE, N.C. — While, the exact timing of flu season varies, flu activity often begins to increase in October and usually peaks between December and February.
So what can you do now to start preparing? Let's verify.
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According to the CDC, everyone 6 months old and older should get a flu vaccine. The agency said vaccines this year will protect against three different flu viruses.
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. That’s why Dr. Passaretti said you should think about getting the shot now.
“I generally encourage people to get their flu and COVID shot around that October time frame to really have it be peak efficacy when we're in the prime of respiratory viral season," Passaretti said.
One myth she wants to dispel is the flu vaccine does not give you the flu.
“It's not possible that the flu vaccine give you the flu," she said. "Certainly you may feel crummy around the time you get the vaccines, but usually that's short lived, less than 24 to 36 hours and you know, not something -- not the actual flu."
Passaretti said even if you get the vaccine, there is a chance you could get the flu, but your symptoms will not be as bad.
“Even if you get influenza or COVID, after you get the vaccine, you'll get a milder case of it, you're less prone to end up in the hospital, less prone to have severe consequences from the infection.”
According to the CDC, different flu vaccines are approved for use in different age groups:
- There are several flu shots approved for use in people as young as 6 months old and older, and two are approved only for adults 65 years and older.
- Flu shots also are recommended for pregnant people and people with certain chronic health conditions.
- The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in people 2 years through 49 years of age. People who are pregnant and people with certain medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.
For people younger than 65, the CDC does not recommend any one flu vaccine over another. For adults age 65 and older, there are three flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent inactivated flu vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine.
Recommendations for vaccination for those with an egg allergy:
According to the CDC, people with an egg allergy may get any vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. Previously, it was recommended that people with severe allergy to eggs be vaccinated in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting. Beginning with the 2023-24 season, additional safety measures are no longer recommended for flu vaccination of people with an egg allergy. However, all vaccines should be given in settings where allergic reactions can be recognized and treated quickly.
According to the CDC, most health care insurance plans cover the annual flu shot as preventive care. But make sure to check with your provider. The CDC says the vaccine is often available at no or low cost to people who do not have insurance.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.