September 17 is Get Ready for Flu Day and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reminding people to talk to their healthcare provider about getting their yearly flu vaccine and be aware of other steps they can take to prevent the flu.
Getting a yearly flu vaccine is one the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from the flu. Everyone aged six months and older should get a flu vaccine every year, with few exceptions. It’s especially important for people at increased risk for severe illness from the flu. This includes young children, people with certain medical conditions, people who are pregnant, and adults aged 65 years and older.
Every year, the seasonal flu vaccine is made to protect against the flu viruses that are expected to be the most common. It protects against illness, hospitalization, and death. Even if you get the flu after getting vaccinated, it will likely reduce how sick you get.
September and October are the best times to get vaccinated against the flu. However, if you get vaccinated later in flu season you can still be protected as flu can circulate in communities until late spring each year. Some people, like children and some pregnant adults, may need to get vaccinated earlier.
Don’t forget it is safe to get a flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19 and RSV (if eligible).
Other steps you can take to protect yourself and others from the flu are:
- Practice good hygiene – cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands often.
- Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school, or office.
- Take steps for cleaner air when indoors (improve ventilation).
- Stay home when sick and get treatment, if eligible.
- You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of these are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, AND
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- Once you resume normal activities, take added precautions for the next five days.
- This includes improving air quality while indoors, washing hands often, keeping distance from others, or masking.
- If you’re very sick or you’re at high risk for severe illness from flu, talk with a health care provider to see if prescription treatment is right for you. Treatment works best if taken within two days from when your symptoms start.
Visit the VDH website to learn more about preventing the flu and vaccinate.virginia.gov to find a vaccine provider near you.