Prevent the Flu

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

On this page:  Flu Vaccination    Other Prevention Steps      Resources

Flu Vaccination

VDH and CDC recommend yearly influenza (flu) vaccination. Flu vaccination is the most important step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu.  

Reasons to get a flu vaccine 

  • Vaccination can reduce your chance of getting the flu and spreading it to others 
  • If you do get the flu, it can reduce the severity of your illness and prevent hospitalization 
  • When more people get vaccinated, less flu illness can spread through the community

Who should get a flu vaccine? 

Everyone aged six months and older should get a flu shot every year, with few exceptions. 

Vaccination is important for people at increased risk of serious complications from the flu.  People at increased risk include: 

  • Adults aged 65 years and older 
  • Children younger than six months of age 
  • Pregnant people 
  • People with asthma, diabetes, and heart or lung disease or other chronic medical conditions and  
  • Immunocompromised people 

It is also important for people who live or care for people at increased risk to get vaccinated. A caregiver can include: 

  • Healthcare workers 
  • Anyone who lives with someone at increased risk 
  • Anyone who takes care of someone at increased risk, like family members who take care of young children or infants 
  • People who work in long-term care facilities   

Visit CDC’s flu webpage for a full list of people who are at increased risk for developing complications from the flu. 

When to get your flu vaccine 

Everyone should be vaccinated against the flu by the end of October every year. September and October are the best times to get vaccinated. Certain groups of people may need to get it earlier.  Talk to your healthcare provider to see when you should get your flu vaccine.  

  • Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. For those children it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Vaccination during July and August can also be considered for children who need only one dose and have health care visits during these months.  
  • Most adults, especially those 65 years and older, and pregnant people in the first or second trimester should generally not get vaccinated early, in July or August, because protection may decrease over time.  
  • Pregnant people who are in their third trimester can get a flu vaccine in July or August to ensure their babies are protected from flu after birth when they are too young to get vaccinated. 

It is important to get a flu vaccine every year. People’s protection from vaccination declines over time, so yearly flu vaccine increases your protection. Also, flu viruses change often, so vaccines are updated each year to protect you from the flu virus that is expected to be the most common during that flu season. You can also get your flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, like COVID-19. 

Where to get your flu vaccine 

You can get your flu shot at many different locations, like your doctor’s office or local clinic. You can also check your college/university health center. If you don’t have a regular health care provider, you can get a flu shot at a health department or pharmacy. 

Search for a flu shot provider with VDH’s Vaccine Locator or contact your local health department.  

Types of flu vaccines 

There are several vaccine options to choose from each flu season Different vaccines are approved for different age groups and some vaccines are not recommended for some groups of people. 

The Flu Shot 

  • The flu vaccine, also known as the flu shot, is usually given in the arm with a needle.  
  • The flu shot can be used in people aged six months or older, including people with chronic medical conditions. 

 The Nasal Spray Vaccine 

  • The nasal spray flu vaccine is made with weakened live flu viruses and is given as a nasal spray. The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu.  
  • The nasal spray vaccine can be used in people aged two through 49 years of age who are not immunocompromised, pregnant, or have certain medical conditions. 

Visit the CDC webpage to learn more about the different type of flu vaccines. 

2024-2025 Flu Vaccine Updates 

Flu viruses are constantly changing. U.S. flu vaccines are reviewed every year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) vaccines advisory committee. Each year, they are updated to best match the flu viruses that are predicted to be the most common during the upcoming season. The 2024-2025 season U.S. flu vaccines will be trivalent. Trivalent flu vaccines are made to protect against three flu viruses (an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria virus). Visit the CDC webpage for more information.   

Who should NOT get a flu vaccine? 

  • Children aged younger than six months of age 
    • These children are at increased risk of serious flu illness but are too young to be vaccinated. People who are in regular close contact with infants and other children not vaccinated for the flu (e.g., caregivers and household members) should receive the flu vaccine. Additionally, breastfeeding can provide some protection against the flu for infants. 
  • People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins). This could include antibiotics, gelatin, or other ingredients.  
  • See Special Considerations Regarding Egg Allergy for more information about egg allergies and flu vaccine. People with an egg-allergy may receive any flu vaccine (egg-based or non-egg based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. Additional safety measures are no longer recommended for flu vaccination beyond those recommended for receipt of any vaccine. This is a change as of this year.  

If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine or have ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, do not get a flu vaccine until you talk to a health care provider to help decide whether vaccination is appropriate for you. 

Other Flu Prevention Strategies

Stay Home if You’re Sick and Get Treatment if eligible

  • Stay home and away from others if you are sick with symptoms.
    • You can return back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of these are true:
      • Your symptoms are better overall AND
      • you are fever-free (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
      • Take additional precautions once you return to normal activities.
  • Call your healthcare provider right away to see if you should be prescribed medicine for the flu.

Practice Good Hygiene

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
    • If you don’t have a tissue, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or sleeve, not your hand.
  • Washing your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

 Keep Your Environment Clean

  • Take steps to improve ventilation for cleaner air at home and elsewhere.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often (such as counters, tables, children’s toys, and surfaces in the bathroom) especially when someone is sick
Last Updated: September 11, 2024