Is it too late to get a flu shot?

Bridgett — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:59:48 GMT

Current Revision posted to Ask BCBSOK by Bridgett on 8/8/2025 3:59:48 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage everyone to get vaccinated in September and October of each year.

If you miss that window, the CDC says there are still lots of good reason to get the flu shot late rather than not at all.

Vaccination after October can still provide protection against the flu virus when it’s at its peak – January and February.

Plus, since the flu can still be spread as late as May, a flu shot any time before then offers benefits. Remember, it takes the flu vaccine about two weeks for full protection to kick in.

The CDC doesn’t recommend getting the flu shot in July or August.

Why is a getting an annual flu shot a good idea?

The flu can spread even before symptoms appear. You could be exposed to the flu by someone who doesn’t know they have it.
Serious complications such as pneumonia can be triggered by the flu. A flu shot offers protection.
New strains of the flu virus develop every year. An updated vaccine is created each year to fight them.

Ready to get your flu shot?

It’s easy to get a flu shot. You can get it from your health care provider or your local pharmacy at low or no cost.

Source: Information for the Flu Season, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Tags: Ask a question, Immunizations, Flu Vaccine, Adult health

Is it too late to get a flu shot?

BCBSOK Connect Team — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 21:12:58 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Ask BCBSOK by BCBSOK Connect Team on 10/16/2024 9:12:58 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage everyone to get vaccinated in September and October of each year.

If you miss that window, the CDC says there are still lots of good reason to get the flu shot late rather than not at all.

Vaccination after October can still provide protection against the flu virus when it’s at its peak – January and February.

Plus, since the flu can still be spread as late as May, a flu shot any time before then offers benefits. Remember, it takes the flu vaccine about two weeks for full protection to kick in.

The CDC doesn’t recommend getting the flu shot in July or August.

Why is a getting an annual flu shot a good idea?

The flu can spread even before symptoms appear. You could be exposed to the flu by someone who doesn’t know they have it.
Serious complications such as pneumonia can be triggered by the flu. A flu shot offers protection.
New strains of the flu virus develop every year. An updated vaccine is created each year to fight them.

Ready to get your flu shot?

It’s easy to get a flu shot. Make an appointment with your primary care provider.

Source: Information for the Flu Season, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022

Tags: Ask a question, Immunizations, Flu Vaccine, Adult health

Is it too late to get a flu shot?

BCBSOK Connect Team — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:44:15 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Ask BCBSOK by BCBSOK Connect Team on 3/22/2023 7:44:15 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage everyone to get vaccinated in September and October of each year.

If you miss that window, the CDC says there are still lots of good reason to get the flu shot late rather than not at all.

Vaccination after October can still provide protection against the flu virus when it’s at its peak – January and February.

Plus, since the flu can still be spread as late as May, a flu shot any time before then offers benefits. Remember, it takes the flu vaccine about two weeks for full protection to kick in.

The CDC doesn’t recommend getting the flu shot in July or August.

Why is a getting an annual flu shot a good idea?

The flu can spread even before symptoms appear. You could be exposed to the flu by someone who doesn’t know they have it.
Serious complications such as pneumonia can be triggered by the flu. A flu shot offers protection.
New strains of the flu virus develop every year. An updated vaccine is created each year to fight them.

Ready to get your flu shot?

It’s easy to get a flu shot. Make an appointment with your primary care provider.

Source: Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022

Tags: Ask a question, Immunizations, Flu Vaccine, Adult health

Is it too late to get a flu shot?

EquipoConnect — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 22:07:29 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Ask BCBSOK by EquipoConnect on 9/13/2017 10:07:29 PM

Title: Is it too late to get a flu shot?

Not at all! According to the Centers for Disease Control the flu can be spread last as late as May and its peak activity is in January and February.

There are several reasons to get a flu shot, including:

Flu shots are recommended every year because there are new strains of flu virus every year.
A flu shot can help protect you against complications that can result from the flu, such as pneumonia.
The flu can spread even before symptoms appear. Others may give you the flu before they know they have it.

So if you have not received your flu shot, consider making an appointment with your doctor. And if you have already received your flu shot, thank you!

Tags: Ask a question, Immunizations, Flu Vaccine, Adult health

Is it too late to get a flu shot?

BCBSOK Connect Team — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 01:24:20 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Ask BCBSOK by BCBSOK Connect Team on 1/30/2016 1:24:20 AM

Title: Is it too late to get a flu shot?

Not at all! According to the Centers for Disease Control the flu can be spread last as late as May and its peak activity is in January and February.

There are several reasons to get a flu shot, including:

Flu shots are recommended every year because there are new strains of flu virus every year.
A flu shot can help protect you against complications that can result from the flu, such as pneumonia.
The flu can spread even before symptoms appear. Others may give you the flu before they know they have it.

So if you have not received your flu shot, consider making an appointment with your doctor. And if you have already received your flu shot, thank you!

Tags: Immunizations, Adult health