Both COVID-19 and the flu will be with us this fall and winter, making vaccination—the most effective preventive measure—as important as ever. For best protection, get vaccinated between early September and the end of October. If you happen to miss that time, getting it later will still be beneficial.
For the flu, the CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months or older gets vaccinated annually. It’s especially important for people at higher risk, including young children, pregnant women, people age 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems or chronic illness, and caregivers for others who are at high risk.
For COVID-19, the CDC’s general guideline is that everyone age 6 months or older should receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they have ever been vaccinated against COVID-19 before.
For more specific information on COVID-19 vaccination, click here for the CDC’s guidelines for when and what type of 2024-2025 vaccines or boosters you and your family members should get in order to stay up to date. Guidelines may vary based on the age of the person as well as the number and type(s) of vaccines and/or boosters they have previously had.
Time-saving tip: The CDC confirms that it is safe to receive your flu and COVID-19 vaccination at the same doctor or pharmacy visit.
By getting the flu shot and your COVID-19 vaccination/booster, you can:
- Keep yourself healthy and away from busy hospitals
- Protect your family members and community, especially those at risk for serious illness like older adults, young children, and people with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems
- Reduce the severity of illness if you do get the flu or COVID-19
Tips to prevent getting sick and spreading the flu and COVID-19
- Consider wearing a protective mask when you’re not at home. Here are the CDC’s recommendations regarding when to mask up and what kinds of masks are best.
- Avoid contact with sick people, and stay home if you aren’t feeling well.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth to avoid spreading germs.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
- If you do get the flu or COVID-19, stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after your fever (if you had one) is gone without using fever reducers and when you notice overall improvement in your symptoms.
For more information on the flu and COVID-19, visit the CDC’s respiratory viruses website.
