When will you have your kids get the flu shot?

[Anonymous]

Our whole family is doing them this week. We also usually wait until October but when we saw our pediatrician in August for an annual checkup, she recommended doing it in late September because they are anticipating more people will get them this year and while there is plenty for everyone, there may be distribution delays if you wait until later in the fall. I’m happy to check it off the list early, TBH, so I don’t forget.

[Anonymous]

It is recommended that you get them in mid to late October given it has about 6 mos of effectiveness. But, the demand is higher this year so we got ours last week.

[Anonymous]

College DD already did at local Walgreens.
DC14 at sports physical at CVS Minute Clinic.

[Anonymous]

We got ours on Saturday.

[Anonymous]

Scheduled ours for the 1st week of October.

[Anonymous]

We already did (mid September).

[Anonymous]

Can you get it twice?

[Anonymous]

We did it at the end of last week. They seem to be in much higher demand this year. When I got mine at CVS, the Minute Clinic technician said that they've already run out of the shot for those under the age of 4.

[Anonymous]

Appointment scheduled October 1.

[Anonymous]

We have an appointment about a week from now at the pediatrician special flu-clinic hours.

[Anonymous]

Got them last week at Patient First. Flu shots are fast-tracked so we were in and out in 5 minutes.

I believe you can get them a second time, so we’ll plan on that if able.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We typically get them late October but I’m wondering if earlier is smarter this year.

You should have done so as soon as they were available. There is a two week period for it to take effect. Late October is pure stupidity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids don’t go anywhere without a mask and physical distancing. They don’t go to school and there are no sports or other activities for them to be exposed. Why should they get the flu vaccine?

Do you ever go out? If so, you could give them the flu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We typically get them late October but I’m wondering if earlier is smarter this year.

You should have done so as soon as they were available. There is a two week period for it to take effect. Late October is pure stupidity.

It's not pure stupidity because it's weighing availability and early protection with the recognition that effectiveness might wear off in six months while flu is still active. It's not as easy a decision as you are making it out to be.

CDC:

When should I get vaccinated?

You should get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begin spreading in your community, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu. Make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated early (for example, in July or August) is likely to be associated with reduced protection against flu infection later in the flu season, particularly among older adults. Vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later. Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids don’t go anywhere without a mask and physical distancing. They don’t go to school and there are no sports or other activities for them to be exposed. Why should they get the flu vaccine?

You can't be serious.