Flu season usually picks up in the fall and peaks in winter. A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and the people around you. Vacúnate, y cuida a los tuyos.
Who should get a flu shot?
Health experts recommend a flu vaccine every year for almost everyone 6 months and older. It matters most for:
- Babies and young children
- Adults 65 and older
- People who are pregnant
- Anyone with diabetes, asthma, heart disease, or other long-term conditions
- Anyone who lives with or cares for someone in those groups
When to get it
The flu virus changes, so last year’s shot doesn’t protect you this year. The best time to get vaccinated is September or October, before flu spreads widely. Getting it later in the season is still worth it.
What to expect
- It takes a few minutes. Some places ask you to wait about 15 minutes afterward.
- A sore arm, a mild headache, or feeling tired for a day is normal.
- The flu shot cannot give you the flu. The vaccine doesn’t contain a live virus that can make you sick.
What it costs
- With insurance: most health plans, including Medicaid and Marketplace plans, cover the flu shot with no copay at an in-network pharmacy or doctor.
- Without insurance: many community health centers and local health departments offer flu shots for free or at low cost. Pharmacies often run lower-cost flu shot programs too.
Where to find one
- Vaccines.gov lets you search for flu shots near your zip code.
- Your local pharmacy or doctor’s office.
- A community health center. Search findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
If you have questions about whether the flu shot is right for you, especially if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine before, talk to a doctor or pharmacist first.
