{"id":518,"date":"2014-03-17T09:00:35","date_gmt":"2014-03-17T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.osfsaintanthony.org\/blog\/?p=518"},"modified":"2025-10-14T15:53:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T20:53:01","slug":"late-get-flu-shot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/","title":{"rendered":"Flu Shot or Not? Your Complete Guide to the Flu Vaccine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Each fall, the flu descends like an unwelcome villain, sneaking through schools, offices and holiday gatherings, leaving fevers, aches and exhaustion in its wake.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, you\u2019ve got one shot to fight back \u2014 the flu shot.<\/p>\n<p>Before you decide if you should get the flu shot or not, check out some common flu shot questions, including who should get it, what\u2019s inside it and how it works.<\/p>\n<h2>Who should get a flu shot?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"alignright cta\">\n<p>Protect yourself and your loved ones.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/c\/flu-vaccine\/\">Get your flu shot today!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/vaccines\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">almost everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot<\/a>\u00a0to protect themselves and those around them each flu season.<\/p>\n<p>Certain groups benefit even more from the flu shot, including children, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/protect-yourself-with-the-flu-shot-for-seniors\">seniors<\/a> and people with chronic health conditions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe flu can be dangerous for anyone, but it\u2019s especially risky for groups with weaker immune systems,\u201d said Brian Curtis, MD, vice president, chief medical officer, OSF Medical Group. \u201cEven if you\u2019re healthy, getting your flu shot helps protect the most vulnerable people around you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re pregnant, a flu shot protects both you and your baby by passing protective antibodies to your baby, so they are protected right at birth. Newborns and babies under 6 months can\u2019t get a flu shot, so it\u2019s also a good idea for parents, siblings, grandparents and anyone planning on coming into close contact with your child to consider getting the vaccine. This is called \u201ccocooning\u201d and helps keep your newborn safe by surrounding them with vaccinated people who are less likely to spread the flu.<\/p>\n<h2>Flu Shot Benefits<\/h2>\n<p>Like any vaccine, the flu shot has pros and cons, but for most people, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.<\/p>\n<p>Benefits of the flu shot include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reduces your chance of getting the flu<\/li>\n<li>Makes symptoms milder and recovery faster if you do get sick<\/li>\n<li>Lowers the risk of hospitalization and serious complications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some people may experience <a href=\"http:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/flu-shot-side-effects-whats-normal-and-when-to-call-your-doctor\/\">mild side effects<\/a>\u00a0like soreness, fatigue or a low-grade fever. And since viruses can change each year, the flu vaccine may not prevent everyone from getting sick. Still, health experts agree that the protection it offers makes the flu shot one of the simplest, most effective tools we have against this virus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo matter your age or current health status, the flu can become serious quickly,\u201d said Dr. Curtis. \u201cSo you really have to weigh the risks. A few hours of arm pain is nothing compared to the weeks of sickness the flu can bring. Or worse, a trip to the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>What\u2019s in the flu vaccine?<\/h2>\n<p>Despite what some people may think, the flu shot does not contain a live virus. Instead, it uses an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/how-vaccines-work-to-protect-us\">inactivated, or dead, version of the virus<\/a> to train your immune system to recognize and fight off the flu without causing infection. To keep the vaccine safe and effective while it\u2019s stored and transported, it also includes very small amounts of stabilizers and preservatives.<\/p>\n<p>The flu shot is not an mRNA vaccine, which is a new type of vaccination that was used to create the COVID-19 vaccines. Both types of vaccines safely teach your immune system to recognize and fight the virus in different ways.<\/p>\n<p>Most flu vaccines are made using eggs, but according to the CDC, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/vaccines\/egg-allergies.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">people with egg allergies can still safely get a flu shot<\/a>. If you\u2019re worried, there are also egg-free options available. Be sure to talk with your provider about which option is best for you.<\/p>\n<h2>Flu Nasal Spray vs. Flu Shot<\/h2>\n<p>The main difference between the flu nasal spray and the traditional flu shot is that the nasal spray does use a live, but weakened, virus to stimulate your immune system. Like the flu shot, it can cause mild, short-lived side effects, but it does not give you the flu or make you sick.<\/p>\n<p>The flu nasal spray is generally recommended for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/vaccine-types\/nasalspray.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">healthy people ages 2\u201349<\/a>\u00a0who aren\u2019t pregnant. Children under two, older adults and anyone with chronic health conditions should stick with the flu shot, which is safe and effective for nearly everyone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe nasal spray can be a good option for some kids or adults who are needle-averse,\u201d said Dr. Curtis. \u201cBut overall, the flu shot is effective and works for the widest group of people.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Best Time to Get a Flu Shot<\/h2>\n<p>The CDC recommends you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevention\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">get your flu shot before flu season peaks<\/a>. Flu season is generally accepted as October through March, so the best time to get the flu shot is in September or October.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSince it takes about two weeks to build full immunity, getting the flu shot early in the season gives your body time to be protected when flu season ramps up,\u201d said Dr. Curtis.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you miss the early window, it\u2019s never too late to get a flu shot. Flu season may begin in the fall, but it can last into spring, so getting your flu shot anytime during the season is better than skipping it entirely.<\/p>\n<h3>Can you get a flu shot while sick?<\/h3>\n<p>If you have mild cold-like symptoms like a runny nose or sore throat, it\u2019s generally safe to get the flu shot. However, if you are actively sick with a moderate or severe illness, especially with a fever, it\u2019s best to wait until you\u2019ve recovered. Getting the shot while your body is fighting a more serious illness can make side effects worse and may affect how well the vaccine works.<\/p>\n<h2>Flu Shot Effectiveness and Duration<\/h2>\n<p>Flu shot effectiveness can vary from year to year, depending on how well the vaccine matches current flu strains. Even if you do catch the flu, the vaccine is very effective at making your symptoms less severe, keeping you out of the hospital and helping you recover faster.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven in a year where the flu shot isn\u2019t a perfect match, it still reduces severity and complications,\u201d said Dr. Curtis. \u201cThat\u2019s what keeps people out of the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For most people, one flu shot per season is enough, and protection usually lasts through the height of flu season (October 1-March 31).<\/p>\n<p>For children, seniors or people with weakened immune systems, talk with your doctor for more specific guidance on timing or extra doses.<\/p>\n<h2>Your Best Shot<\/h2>\n<p>Flu shots are safe, effective and one of the best ways to protect your family and community from the flu each season. While mild side effects can happen, the benefits far outweigh the risks, especially for those most vulnerable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each fall, the flu descends like an unwelcome villain, sneaking through schools, offices and holiday gatherings, leaving fevers, aches and exhaustion in its wake. Fortunately, you\u2019ve got one shot to fight back \u2014 the flu shot. Before you decide if you should get the flu shot or not, check out some common flu shot questions, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":8538,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[735],"tags":[40,1184,74],"coauthors":[1173],"class_list":["post-518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-preventive-health","tag-flu","tag-side-effects","tag-vaccines"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Flu Shot or Not? Your Complete Guide to the Flu Vaccine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Flu season can last as late as May, so it is not too late to protect yourself by getting a flu shot.Wondering if you should get a flu shot? Learn who needs it, when to get it, what\u2019s in the vaccine, the side effects and how it protects you and your family.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"It\u2019s not too late to get your flu shot\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With the spring season finally in our sights, it\u2019s easy to forget the flu virus is still a threat.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OSF HealthCare Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/osfhealthcare\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2014-03-17T14:00:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-14T20:53:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lauren Freehill\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"It\u2019s not too late to get your flu shot\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"With the spring season finally in our sights, it\u2019s easy to forget the flu virus is still a threat.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@osfhealthcare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@osfhealthcare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lauren Freehill\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/\",\"name\":\"Flu Shot or Not? Your Complete Guide to the Flu Vaccine\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2014-03-17T14:00:35+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-14T20:53:01+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b8a43a2e83ab57b319af81da80db9584\"},\"description\":\"Flu season can last as late as May, so it is not too late to protect yourself by getting a flu shot.Wondering if you should get a flu shot? Learn who needs it, when to get it, what\u2019s in the vaccine, the side effects and how it protects you and your family.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630,\"caption\":\"Person taking a temperature of a loved one\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Flu Shot or Not? Your Complete Guide to the Flu Vaccine\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"OSF HealthCare Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b8a43a2e83ab57b319af81da80db9584\",\"name\":\"Lauren Freehill\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/author\/lfreehill\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Flu Shot or Not? Your Complete Guide to the Flu Vaccine","description":"Flu season can last as late as May, so it is not too late to protect yourself by getting a flu shot.Wondering if you should get a flu shot? Learn who needs it, when to get it, what\u2019s in the vaccine, the side effects and how it protects you and your family.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"It\u2019s not too late to get your flu shot","og_description":"With the spring season finally in our sights, it\u2019s easy to forget the flu virus is still a threat.","og_url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/","og_site_name":"OSF HealthCare Blog","article_publisher":"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/osfhealthcare","article_published_time":"2014-03-17T14:00:35+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-10-14T20:53:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Lauren Freehill","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"It\u2019s not too late to get your flu shot","twitter_description":"With the spring season finally in our sights, it\u2019s easy to forget the flu virus is still a threat.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg","twitter_creator":"@osfhealthcare","twitter_site":"@osfhealthcare","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Lauren Freehill","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/","url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/","name":"Flu Shot or Not? Your Complete Guide to the Flu Vaccine","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg","datePublished":"2014-03-17T14:00:35+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-14T20:53:01+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b8a43a2e83ab57b319af81da80db9584"},"description":"Flu season can last as late as May, so it is not too late to protect yourself by getting a flu shot.Wondering if you should get a flu shot? Learn who needs it, when to get it, what\u2019s in the vaccine, the side effects and how it protects you and your family.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"Person taking a temperature of a loved one"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/late-get-flu-shot\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Flu Shot or Not? Your Complete Guide to the Flu Vaccine"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/","name":"OSF HealthCare Blog","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b8a43a2e83ab57b319af81da80db9584","name":"Lauren Freehill","url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/author\/lfreehill\/"}]}},"modified_by":"Wilma Matheney","featured_image_url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/shutterstock_1044422773.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=518"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19528,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518\/revisions\/19528"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=518"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=518"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}