Flu Shots: The Pumpkin Spice of Healthcare?

When is it too early for pumpkin spice? The same question can be asked about getting your flu shot. Each year, we start seeing pumpkin-spiced products appear earlier and earlier, sometimes while it’s still summer. Businesses compete to be first to market and capture your attention (and your dollars), even though most of us would rather be sipping a cold lemonade than a pumpkin-spiced latte.

Flu shots follow a similar pattern. Pharmacies want to beat the competition to your insurance dollars, and large companies with greater purchasing power often receive vaccine shipments long before smaller local pharmacies or primary care offices. So does it really make sense to get your flu shot when the yard signs go up in July?

Here are a few points to consider when deciding the best time to build your immunity:

• Flu season runs from October through May, peaking most often in February (but sometimes as early as December or as late as March).

• Immunity takes about two weeks to build after vaccination.

• Protection lasts roughly six to eight months and declines about eight to nine percent each month.

• Early vaccination may require a booster later in the season for full protection.

• Vaccine strains are selected based on data from the Southern Hemisphere, where flu season hits first.

• Influenza causes deaths every year, especially among young children, older adults, and people with chronic or serious illnesses.

• The vaccine may cause mild immune reactions but cannot give you the flu.

With this information in mind, I generally recommend getting your flu shot in mid to late October to maximize immunity through the peak months of flu season. However, this is general advice, some people should get vaccinated earlier. There are too many exceptions to list here, so it’s always best to discuss your individual needs with your healthcare provider.

If you’d like to talk about the best timing for you, schedule a visit with us at Homesteady Health.