When to Get a Flu Shot This Year: What Experts Recommend

Anyone can get the flu, no matter how healthy they are. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends all people (with rare exceptions) ages 6 months and older get a flu shot to protect themselves and others from the flu. This is particularly important to pregnant people and those with chronic health conditions.

When is Flu Season?

Flu season typically strikes the U.S. beginning in October and lasts through May, with infections usually peaking from December through February. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the 2024-25 season was classified as high severity, the most severe since 2017-18. Based on the specimens tested, influenza activity in the New England area peaked in early February.

How Bad Will This Flu Season Be?

No one knows for sure how to accurately predict how dangerous the newest flu season will be. And that goes for this year’s 2025-2026 flu season. CDC uses a mathematical model to estimate the burden of flu illnesses, medical visits, hosptializations an deaths each season. It has been estimated that the last flu season (Sept 2024- April 2025) resulted in 560,000-1,100,000 million hospitalizations and 38,000-99,000 deaths. But the CDC's model cannot reliably predict the upcoming flu season in the US.

The recommended 2025-26 US flu vaccines were made after reviewing and evaluating the data on the 2024-25 flu season and the performance of the 2024-25 vaccines. The A(H3N2) component had a change, but the other components are unchanged from the 2024-25 Northern Hemisphere flu vaccines.

Where to Get a Flu Shot

• Convenient Care
• Your primary care provider’s office
• Local pharmacies

Use vaccinefinder.org to locate a pharmacy near you where you can schedule your flu vaccination.

“Increased flu vaccination for both adults and children could help reduce the risk of a more severe flu season,” said Dr. Armando Paez, chief, Infectious Disease Division, Baystate Health.

Which Flu is Worse - A or B?

You may have heard that there are generally two types of flu virus each year – flu A and flu B. Is there one that’s worse to get than the other? According to Dr. Amy Starmer, Pediatrician at Baystate General Pediatrics, “Both influenza A and B can cause illness, and the severity can vary each season. The impact may differ among individuals, and susceptibility can change. It's essential to follow the advice of your doctor or pediatrician, who can provide specific guidance based on the current flu season and you and your child's health.”

When to Get the Flu Shot

The 2025-2026 flu vaccines are now available. Ideally, the CDC recommends that everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. It can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to build up antibodies to protect you from the flu. Ideally, you want to have maximum immunologic protection before the peak of the flu season but timing this is not easy.

In general, flu vaccinations reduce the risk of flu illness by 40%-60% when the circulating flu viruses match to the flu vaccines. The recommended flu vaccines will depend on the person’s age and other factors. Some vaccines are only approved for adults with 3 flu vaccines (Fluzone High-Dose inactivated flu vaccine, Flublok recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine) recommended for 65 years and older. However, for those younger than 65 years, the CDC does not recommend any specific type of flu vaccine over another.

“If you have more questions about the type of flu vaccine, reach out to your doctor. It is never too late to get the flu shot to protect yourself throughout the long flu season,” said Dr. Paez. The best time to get a flu shot is as soon as possible, regardless of how late in the season it is.

Dr. Starmer adds, “While it's commonly recommended to get the flu shot in the early fall, getting vaccinated later in the season is still beneficial. The flu season can extend into spring, so even getting vaccinated in January or later can provide protection. It's better to get vaccinated late than not at all.”

Who Should Not Get a Flu Shot?

The CDC notes flu shots are appropriate for most people, with rare exceptions.

People who should not get the flu vaccine include children younger than 6 months of age and those with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in the flu vaccine or who have had a previous severe allergic reaction to a dose of flu vaccine. Ask your healthcare provider if you’re not sure if you should be vaccinated.

Updated COVID Vaccines and Flu Shots - Can You Get Them Together?

Yes! You can get a flu and COVID vaccines at the same time as long as you are eligible for both vaccinations. Dr. Starmer says, “It’s safe and effective to receive the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time. Health authorities often recommend getting both vaccines to protect against these respiratory illnesses. However, it's crucial to check with your healthcare provider for the most current advice and any potential updates or changes to vaccination schedules.”

So go ahead and schedule to get your flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines together if you're due to receive them to protect you and your family this season.

Should You Get a Flu Shot?

If you are over 6 years old and not allergic to the flu shot or its ingredients, the answer is yes, you should get your flu shot. The best time for the flu shot is as soon as possible, protecting you, your family, and our community against severe disease. When in doubt, discuss flu vaccination with your healthcare provider.