When is the best time to get the flu vaccine?

When should you get the flu shot?

The best time to get your flu shot is in the autumn. This is because flu outbreaks often happen in the winter. Getting the shot in the autumn helps keep you safe when the flu is most common.

A good tool to remember is a calendar. Mark a date in the autumn to remind you to get your flu shot. This can be September or October. Ask a family member or a friend to help remind you too!

Why get the flu shot before October ends?

Get the flu shot before October ends because:

• It helps keep you healthy.
• It stops you from catching the flu.
• It protects your family and friends from getting sick too.
• It works best before flu season starts.

If reading is hard, ask someone to read this to you or use a computer program to help you understand.

Can I get the flu shot after October?

Why should you get a flu shot?

Getting a flu shot helps keep you healthy. It stops you from getting very sick with the flu.

The flu shot also helps protect your family and friends from getting sick.

Ask a grown-up if you need help or have more questions about the flu shot.

Can I get a flu shot in December?

Yes, you can still get a flu shot in December. It is not too late.

Here are some tips to help:

• Ask a doctor or nurse to help you.
• Use pictures and videos to learn about the flu shot.

How long does the flu shot work?

The flu shot helps keep you safe from getting the flu. But it does not last forever.

The flu shot works for one year. It's a good idea to get a new flu shot every year to stay healthy.

Here are some tips to help understand:

• Ask an adult to explain if you need help.
• Use pictures to learn how the flu shot works.
• Watch videos about the flu shot to see how it helps.

Does the time you get the flu shot change how well it works?

It is important to get a flu shot to stay healthy. But when is the best time to get it?

Here are some tips:

• Get the flu shot before the flu season starts, usually in the fall.
• Ask your doctor or nurse when is best for you.

Use tools like a calendar to remind you. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you remember.

When does the flu shot start to work?

The flu shot starts to work after 2 weeks.

Here are some tips to remember:

• Get your flu shot early before flu season starts.
• Ask someone to remind you when it is 2 weeks after your shot.
• Tell a friend or a family member about getting your flu shot.

Can I get the flu shot and COVID-19 shot together?

Yes, you can get both the flu shot and the COVID-19 shot on the same day.

If you have questions, ask your doctor or nurse. They can help you feel better about getting the shots.

You can write down what you want to ask or bring a friend to help you remember.

Do I need the flu shot every year?

It can be good to get a flu shot each year. The flu shot helps protect you from getting sick with the flu.

Every year, the flu can change. Getting the shot every year keeps you safe from new kinds of flu.

Talk to a doctor or nurse to help you decide. They know a lot about flu shots.

You can also ask someone you trust to help you understand.

Do kids get flu shots at different times than grown-ups?

Kids might need flu shots at different times or more shots than adults. Check with the doctor to know what is best for your child.

Use pictures, charts, or ask a nurse or doctor to explain with simple words. This can help make it easier to understand.

What types of flu shots can you get?

There are different kinds of flu shots you can have to protect yourself from the flu.

Here are some types:

• Shot in the arm: This is the most common flu shot. A doctor or nurse uses a needle to give it to you in your arm.
• Nose spray: Some people can get a flu vaccine that is sprayed into the nose instead of using a needle.

If you have trouble reading, here are some tools that might help:

• Read aloud: Ask someone to read the information out loud to you.
• Highlight text: Use a highlighter to mark important words.
• Use pictures: Look at pictures that might help explain the information.
• Ask questions: If you don’t understand, ask someone to explain it to you.

Who should not get the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is not for everyone. Some people should not get it:

• Babies under 6 months old: They are too young for the flu shot.
• People with allergies: If you are allergic to eggs or any part of the vaccine, ask your doctor.
• People who are very sick: If you are feeling really sick, wait until you feel better.

Talk to a doctor or nurse if you are not sure.

Some tools that can help you:

• Visual aids: Pictures or diagrams can help show who should not get the vaccine.
• Audio support: Listening to information might be easier than reading.
• Helpers: Ask someone you trust to help explain this to you.

Does the flu shot work for all types of the flu?

The flu shot helps protect you from the flu. But, it might not work for every type of the flu. There are many kinds of flu, and the flu shot is made to fight the most common ones.

If you want to learn more or need help, you can:

• Talk to a doctor or nurse.
• Use a picture chart to understand better.
• Get help from someone you trust when reading about the flu.

What happens after you get the flu shot?

Getting a flu shot can make you feel different for a short time. Here are some things you might feel:

• Your arm might hurt where you got the shot.
• You might feel a little tired.
• You could get a mild fever.
• Your muscles might ache a bit.

These feelings usually go away after a few days. If you feel worried, talk to a grown-up or a doctor.

Some helpful things to do:

• Take a rest if you feel tired.
• Put a cool cloth on your arm if it hurts.
• Drink plenty of water.

Will the flu shot make me sick with the flu?

Who should get a special flu shot?

Some people need a special flu shot. Talk to your doctor or nurse to know which one is best for you. They can give good advice.

Here are some tools that can help you understand better:

• Ask a friend or family member to read with you.
• Use apps that read text out loud.
• Look up words you do not understand in a simple dictionary.

What can I do if I miss my vaccine in the fall?

If you miss getting your vaccine in the fall, don't worry! Here are some things you can do:

• Call your doctor or nurse. They can help you plan a new time to get your vaccine.
• Visit a local health clinic or pharmacy. They might have vaccines available.
• Ask a family member or friend to help you find a place to get your vaccine.

If reading is hard, you can:

• Ask someone to read this to you.
• Use a tool like a text-to-speech app that reads aloud.
• Highlight important parts or use colors to remember key points.

What should pregnant women know about the flu vaccine?

How does the government pick the flu germs for the vaccine each year?

Each year, experts look at the flu germs making people sick. They study which germs are spreading fast.

They choose the germs most likely to make people sick next year for the vaccine. This way, the vaccine can best protect people.

If you want to learn more about this, you can use pictures or videos to help understand. Talking to a doctor can help too.