When it comes to warding off the flu, it's better to get an early start this year. 

September and October are the best months to get your flu vaccine this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

You can still get it later than that, but you'll be missing out on coverage right at the beginning of the flu season. High-risk individuals like the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are especially encouraged to get vaccinated.

syringe, injection

The CDC recommends a flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months. It comes in either an injection or nasal spray, and in a standard dose or higher dosage for the elderly. Even if you are allergic to eggs (a component of standard flu vaccine virus culture), there are alternative, egg-free versions available. 

While the vaccines are not 100-percent effective at ensuring you don't get the flu, they are proven to lessen the effects of it. This leads to fewer hospitalizations due to influenza, a key benefit to both patients and the healthcare industry that is currently dealing with COVID-19.

Here are some statistics from 2019:

Not sure where to find a flu vaccine near you? Try your local health clinic, pharmacy, or use the VaccineFinder site by typing in your zip code.

For more information, check out the frequently asked questions on the CDC's page on the 2020-2021 flu season.

*The photos in this article are courtesy of the CDC.

Will you be getting a flu shot this year? Where do you go to get vaccinated? Let us know in the comments!

Sarina Petrocelly
Born in Laos but raised in Haiti and South Florida, Sarina developed a taste for international cuisine at an early age. Now in Woodbridge, VA, she likes to explore the area for the best authentic dives, freshest local produce, and downright yummiest meals in the DMV. When she’s not out with friends or family, she's home with her musician/artist husband Tony and their Jindo, Hachi. She enjoys cooking and finding activities that can drown out heavy metal guitar riffs.
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