How to stay healthier this year: Schedule your flu shot

(BPT) - It's that time of year again: Temperatures are dropping, kids are heading back to school — and cold and flu season isn't far behind. To help you and your family stay healthier this fall and winter, make sure to schedule a flu vaccination.

Getting a flu shot every flu season is the best way to help protect yourself and your family from getting the flu, because the protection you had from last year's flu vaccine declines over time. Vaccines are also updated each year to help protect against the most common virus strains that will be circulating during the upcoming season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting vaccinated before flu season begins, in September or by the end of October. It's easy and convenient to make appointments for yourself and family members by visiting CVS.com, MinuteClinic.com, via the CVS Health app — or just walk into a CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic location in your community.

What is the flu?

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. Some people are at higher risk of serious flu complications, such as people 65 and older, young children and people with certain health conditions including asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease and more.

There are two main types of influenza (flu) viruses: types A and B. The influenza A and B viruses that routinely spread in people are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year. The best way to protect yourself from the flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated each year.

It takes about two weeks for your body to build protection after getting a flu shot. Make plans to get vaccinated in September or October, before flu season begins, and preferably no later than the end of October. However, even if you're not able to get vaccinated until November or later, vaccination is still recommended because flu can start to peak in December and can continue into May. The 2026-2027 flu vaccines are available at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations nationwide.

Who should get flu shots?

The annual flu vaccination is recommended for anyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. Pharmacies can vaccinate children as young as 3 years old in some states, though minimum age requirements vary. Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness, including adults 65 and older, people with certain immunocompromising or chronic medical conditions, infants and children younger than 5 years, and pregnant women.

Who should NOT get flu shots?

People who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot include:

• Children younger than 6 months.
• People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins). This might include gelatin, antibiotics or other ingredients.
• People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine should not get that flu vaccine again and might not be able to receive other influenza vaccines.

If you've had a severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine, it's important to talk with your healthcare provider to determine whether vaccination is appropriate for you.

Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider to determine if the flu vaccine is right for you if you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks after a previous dose of any type of influenza vaccine or are moderately or severely sick (with or without a fever).

Are flu shots free?

The flu vaccine is available at no cost through most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B. CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic can directly bill many national and regional health plans that cover all or part of the cost of flu shot. Check with your health insurance provider to confirm coverage. Flu shots are also available for cash prices for patients paying without insurance, voucher or third-party discount card.

Common myths and facts

If questions about flu shots keep you from getting vaccinated, here are the facts about immunization, and where you can find more information.

• Myth 1: You should wait until flu season peaks to get vaccinated.
  Fact: It's best to be vaccinated before flu spreads in your community. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by late October. Even if you're not able to get vaccinated until November or later, vaccination is still recommended because the flu can start to peak in December and continue into May.
• Myth 2: Flu shots give you the flu.
  Fact: Flu shots are made with inactivated viruses or with proteins from the flu virus, so people cannot get the flu from flu shots. Common side effects include soreness, redness/tenderness or swelling where the shot was given, headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches and/or fatigue. Side effects may begin soon after the shot and usually resolve in a few days. Serious allergic reactions to flu vaccines are very rare.
• Myth 3: If you get the flu, you can't get it again that flu season.
  Fact: Different strains of flu circulate each season, so don't assume that if you already had flu, you won't get it again. If you had flu earlier this season, you should still make it a priority to get vaccinated.
• Myth 4: Antibiotics help fight flu.
  Fact: Antibiotics work well against bacteria but are not effective for viral infections like the flu. Certain antiviral medications can treat flu and are available by prescription from your doctor.

Find more information at CDC.gov. You can also learn more about vaccinations and make appointments at CVS.com, MinuteClinic.com or via the CVS Health app.