We’re in the throes of the flu season, but with months left, doctors are emphasizing it’s not too late to get your flu shot.
The flu vaccine remains the best form of defense against the flu, according to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta System Medical Director of Infectious Diseases Dr. Andi Shane and other doctors and experts here and across the country. It’s Shane’s No. 1 tip for protecting you and your family from the flu.
While getting a vaccine earlier in the season is better, there is still a lot of the season to go and vaccination now could still provide benefit. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.
Limited testing data is suggesting this year’s flu vaccine may not be a good match for Influenza B, which is widely circulating right now. It appears to be a better match for Influenza A, which is picking up across the country. But experts stress the vaccine can also offer protection even if you come down with the illness. It lessens the severity of the flu and reduces the chance of experiencing complications, health officials said. Getting a vaccine can also reduce the length of the flu if you do get sick.
