When should you receive the flu vaccine?

In the United States, the flu season usually occurs from about November until April. Typically, activity is very low until December, and peak activity most often occurs between January and March. The flu vaccine should be administered between September and mid November. It takes about one to two weeks after vaccination for antibody against influenza to develop and provide protection. Groups at increased risk of influenza complications include

• people aged 65 years or older;
  
• residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities housing patients of any age who have chronic medical conditions;
  
• adults and children with chronic disorders of the pulmonary, cardiovascular, or immune systems, including children with asthma;
  
• adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications);
  
• children and teenagers (6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore may be at risk for developing reye syndrome after influenza; and
  
• women in the third trimester of pregnancy or in the early postpartum period. There is some evidence to suggest that women who are in the third trimester of pregnancy or in the early postpartum period may be at increased risk for serious medical complications after influenza infection. Pregnant women who will be in the third trimester of pregnancy between December and April should consult their health-care provider about receiving influenza vaccine during the period from September to mid November.
  

In addition, the following groups should be vaccinated because if they become infected, they may transmit influenza to people who are at high risk for complications:

1. Physicians, nurses, and other health-care personnel in both hospital and outpatient-care settings
   
2. Employees in nursing homes and chronic-care facilities who have contact with patients or residents
   
3. Providers of home care to people at high risk—for example, visiting nurses and volunteer workers
   
4. Household members (including children) of high-risk people
   

Furthermore, the CDC advises that all children ages 6 to 59 months get a yearly vaccination since each year there are over 20,000 children that require hospitalization because of the flu and flu is easily passed from child to child.

Finally, the flu vaccine may be administered to any person who wishes to reduce his or her chances of acquiring influenza infection. People who provide essential community services should be considered for vaccination to minimize disruption of essential activities during influenza outbreaks. Students or other people in institutional settings, such as those who reside in dormitories, should be encouraged to receive the vaccine to minimize the disruption of routine activities during epidemics. People needing further information regarding the use and availability of the influenza vaccine should consult with their health-care provider or their local health department.