Getting Ahead of Flu Season: When to Schedule Your Shot

For many people, the flu is dismissed as “just a bad cold.” But every year, millions of people are infected in the US, hundreds of thousands end up in the hospital, and in severe cases, it can even be fatal. The CDC estimates that between 2023 and 2024, the flu caused up to 28,000 deaths.

The single most effective way to protect yourself and those around you is by getting a flu shot. A flu shot introduces your immune system to an inactive or weakened version of the flu virus, training it to recognize and fight off the real thing if you’re exposed.

That means if you do catch the flu, your body is better prepared and your symptoms are likely to be milder and shorter-lived. However, timing is crucial. The flu season in the US typically ramps up in late fall, peaks between December and February, and can last into the spring. 

If you’re feeling unsure about when to book your flu shot or how to fit it into your schedule, our team at Integrative Primary Care can help. We’ll help you choose the right time based on your health, lifestyle, and the current spread in your community. In this blog, we cover when to get your shot, how long it takes to work, and why timing matters.

Why timing is everything

A flu shot isn’t instant protection. After you get vaccinated, your body needs about two weeks to build up the antibodies that will protect you. That’s why you can’t wait until everyone around you is coughing and sneezing; by then, it may be too late.

Experts recommend getting vaccinated before flu season starts to surge. For most people, this means aiming for early fall, around September or October. That said, late vaccination can still be beneficial as flu season can stretch into April, and any protection is better than none.

How the flu shot works

The flu shot contains inactivated or weakened flu viruses that are not enough to make you sick, but enough for your immune system to recognize and learn how to fight them. Because flu viruses change each year, the shot is updated annually to match the strains most likely to circulate.

Once you’ve been vaccinated, your immune system is on standby. If you’re exposed to the flu later, you can respond quickly, either stopping the infection in its tracks or reducing the severity of your symptoms. People who do get sick after being vaccinated often recover faster and avoid the more dangerous complications of the flu.

Who needs a flu shot the most

The CDC recommends that everyone over six months old get vaccinated each year. But it's especially critical for:

• Older adults, particularly those over 65
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
• Young children
• Anyone with a weakened immune system

For these groups, the flu can quickly lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, or the worsening of existing conditions. But even if you’re healthy, your vaccination helps protect the people around you, such as coworkers, family members, and strangers you encounter daily. 

Because the flu spreads so easily, especially before symptoms appear, this shared immunity is one of the most effective ways to reduce seasonal outbreaks. Book your flu shot now, get ahead of the curve, and give yourself and the people around you the best chance at staying healthy all season long.