Considering everything going on, you must try to protect your health as much as possible. Getting your flu shot is one of the best ways to enhance your defenses against influenza.

If you are wondering when’s the best time to get your influenza shot, read on as your trusted urgent care center in Santa Fe shares more information on this topic:

Influenza Vaccine: What Is It?

Influenza, or simply the flu, is a kind of viral infection that affects the respiratory system. The flu is highly contagious and can cause severe illness, especially in younger children, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions. The best way to be certain that you and your family are protected from the flu is to get a vaccine for it every year.

The flu vaccine is a shot that contains inactivated (killed) influenza viruses. The viruses are grown in eggs and then killed with a chemical. The inactivated viruses are then used to make the vaccine. The flu vaccine can also be made using cell culture, which doesn’t use eggs.

When Is the Best Time to Get a Flu Shot?

The best time to get your shot is typically in the fall before the flu season starts. However, there are some things to remember when deciding when to get vaccinated.

The flu vaccine takes about two weeks for the body to build up immunity, so it’s vital to get the shot early enough that you’ll be protected when flu season begins. In the United States, flu season can start as early as October and last through May.

However, it’s never too late to get a flu shot. Even if you get vaccinated after the flu season has started, you’ll still be protected against the virus’s circulating strains.

Some groups of people should get their influenza shot when the vaccine is available, even if it’s not yet flu season. This includes people at high risk for complications from the flu, such as those with chronic health conditions and pregnant women.

If you’re unsure whether you should get a flu shot or have other questions about the vaccine, talk to your doctor or another healthcare provider.

How Long Does the Protection from a Flu Shot Last?

Flu shots are designed to protect against the most common strains of the flu virus. The virus changes every year, so the composition of the flu shot is also updated annually. Doctors recommend that everyone six months and older get a flu shot yearly.

The protection from a flu shot typically lasts for about six months. However, you should note that the vaccine’s protection may begin to wane after a few months. Additionally, some people may not develop full immunity after getting the vaccine.

Many factors can affect how long the protection from a flu shot lasts. These include the person’s age, health status, and whether they received the recommended doses of the vaccine (for children under eight years old).

Even if the protection from a flu shot doesn’t last the entire flu season, it can still help reduce the severity of the flu if you happen to catch it. So, if you’re considering whether or not you should get a flu shot, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor to see if it’s good for you.

Conclusion

Getting your annual flu shot before the flu season begins is best. This way, you can be certain that you are protected against the most common virus strains. However, even if you get the shot after the season has begun, it is still beneficial, so do get your shot if you’ve missed it. You can get yours from the nearest urgent care center.

Aspen Medical Center offers primary and urgent care in Santa Fe, NM. Schedule your immunizations with Aspen Medical Center today!