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I know they've been offering them since August, but that's "marketing" -- not public health. I've always heard that it's best to wait till after Halloween to maximize effectiveness throughout the entire season (including February -- usually the worst month for it -- and March). Any particular reason to get it earlier this year?
Much ado about nothing, as the flu shot provides immunity for approximately one year. Therefore if one gets it in August, one should still have immunity in February and March.
Normally my HMO makes the flu shots available (free to members) in mid or late September. I got mine in early October, about five days ago. That seems to me an ideal time. Why wait any longer than that, just in case there are some early season cases?
Again, because I don't want it to "wear off" too early. I've never heard that they're good for a year. In fact, I've always heard warnings not to get it too early. I'll have to Google that...
Get It Now. The shot is not time dependant. It is targeted for the presumed current strain until that variation goes extinct. Get the shot as soon as it is available. You'll be protected until the next strain comes along.
From what I have read it is unclear how long it confers immunity, could be years, could be less than a year, and some of that depends on your own immune system.
You get it annually because it is for a different strain each year based upon what they think will circulate.
Do whatever you think is best based upon what is going on in your area.
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I know they've been offering them since August, but that's "marketing" -- not public health. I've always heard that it's best to wait till after Halloween to maximize effectiveness throughout the entire season (including February -- usually the worst month for it -- and March). Any particular reason to get it earlier this year?
I recall that the vaccine is set by August for mass production. Since the flu strains tend to proliferate in late spring and early summer in Asia before coming to the United States, they select three strains that are probably the most common at that time. The strains appear to those most prevalent in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Usually in Oct....this year got the shingles shot also.
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