While you usually want to geta flu shotwell beforeflu seasongets started, that isn’t always possible. With flu shot delays or shortages, your child might not always be able to get aflu shotwhen you want.
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Late Flu Shots
So when is ittoo late to get vaccinatedagainst the flu?
The CDCrecommendsgetting vaccinated early, but they also say, “Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.”
So it is really never too late to get a flu vaccine.
When Should You Get a Flu Shot?
Why wait?
Of course, it is always better to get a flu shot much earlier so that you are protected for the full flu season.
Finding Flu Shots
Because of the flu shot delays and shortages in past years, finding a flu shot, even if you want one, has sometimes been difficult.
If your own pediatrician does run out of flu shots, you might check with your local health department, hospital, or pharmacies, and find a flu shot wherever you can.
For some groups, the flu shot could pose risks. Find outwho should not get the flu shotand why.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have amild cold, it should be okay to get a flu shot. However, it’s best to check in with a healthcare provider first, just to be safe. If you have a high fever or feel any more serious symptoms of sickness, you will likely be advised to wait before getting a flu shot.
Yes. Even if you’ve had the flu this year, the flu shot covers different strains, so it can help protect you from getting the flu again.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Frequently asked influenza (flu) questions.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Frequently asked influenza (flu) questions.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about flu vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Frequently asked influenza (flu) questions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about flu vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Frequently asked influenza (flu) questions.
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