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.