Flu activity is increasing in DC, but it’s not too late – get your flu shot today. (Note: It takes 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect in your body.)
Everyone 6 months and older – including pregnant people – are recommended to get an annual flu vaccine.
Most people only need 1 dose of flu vaccine for the season, but some young children (between 6 months and 8 years old) may need 2 doses for the best protection against serious flu illness. Those children who need 2 doses should get their first dose as soon as possible.
The Flu Can Cause Serious Illness, Hospitalization and Even Death – The flu is more than just a bad cold. Read some of the stories from families foverer changed due to the flu.
People at Risk of Serious Flu – Everyone is at risk of flu, even healthy people. And serious problems can happen to people of all ages. But some people are at even higher risk than others for serious complications if they get the flu virus. Those people include:
- People 65 years and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)
- Pregnant people
- Children younger than 5 years
Flu Vaccines are Safe – Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines for more than 50 years, and there have been many studies that show that flu vaccines are safe. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. When they occur, flu vaccine side effects are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days.
And yes, it is safe to get your flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine/booster at the same time.
Visit our flu page for more information and resources for the 2023-24 flu season. And visit our other pages for more on COVID-19 and RSV.