When is the Best Time to Get a Flu Shot?

With back-to-school season just around the corner, many parents are wondering when is the best time to get a flu shot. Should parents get their children vaccinated now to beat the rush? Or, should they wait until the start of flu season?

Here are some insights from the vaccine lawyers at the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates:

Leading Health Authorities Recommend Getting the Flu Shot By the End of October

Several leading health authorities recommend getting the flu shot by the end of October. This is when flu season typically begins, and health authorities generally say that it is best to get vaccinated before the flu starts to circulate in schools, offices and other locations. Here are the recommendations from some of the leading authorities:

• “For most people who need only one dose of influenza vaccine for the season, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against influenza. . . . For those children [who need two doses of the vaccine], it is recommended that the first dose be given as soon as vaccine is available because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for children who need only one dose.” – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• “The CDC recommends that people ages 6 months and older get a flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. [But, e]ven if you wait until after October, the vaccine will still be beneficial and provide protection.” – U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• “Once you get a flu vaccine, it takes up to two weeks to build immunity. So it’s usually best for people in the United States to get the flu vaccine in September or October. But you can benefit from the vaccine even if you don’t get it until later in flu season.” – Mayo Clinic
• “Children born in October are most likely to be vaccinated for the flu in October — and are least likely to be diagnosed with influenza, according to results of the first large-scale study of optimal timing for the flu shot. . . . The study . . . amplifies public health guidance that encourages getting flu vaccinations in October for those in the northern hemisphere.” – Harvard Medical School

While it is possible to get a flu shot year-round, getting vaccinated late in a flu season will have comparatively little benefit. Additionally, since each year’s flu shot is formulated based on the strains of the influenza virus that experts anticipate to be most prevalent during the upcoming year, a late flu shot won’t necessarily “carry over” to the following flu season. This is among the reasons why the CDC and other health authorities recommend getting a flu shot on an annual basis.

With all of that said, if you have questions about when to get the flu shot, you should consult with your family’s doctor. The general guidance that is available from the CDC and other sources is not a substitute for personalized medical advice from a physician. It is also worth noting that while the CDC recommends annual influenza immunization for most people after six months of age, there are a small number of scenarios in which it may be safer not to get vaccinated.

After a Flu Shot: Monitoring for Signs of SIRVA

The annual flu shot is generally considered safe, and the CDC and other health authorities state that the benefits of getting the flu shot far outweigh the low risk of experiencing complications. Even so, it is important to monitor for signs of potential complications—and to know when a diagnosis and treatment may be necessary.

For example, one of the most common complications linked to the annual flu shot is SIRVA, or a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Since these complications result from errors during flu shot administration rather than adverse reactions to the flu shot itself, they are a risk for all individuals who receive their flu vaccines via shoulder injection.

When should parents (and others) talk to their doctor about SIRVA? Some of the most common symptoms of SIRVA include:

• Shoulder pain
• Muscle weakness
• Reduced range of motion
• Tingling and numbness (or “pins and needles” sensations)

While minor pain is normal following a flu shot, this pain should be localized to the injection site, and it should generally start subsiding within about 24 to 48 hours. If a flu shot recipient’s pain worsens or spreads, this is a sign that medical intervention may be necessary. Localized pain combined with any of the other symptoms listed above could be a sign that medical intervention is necessary as well.

Here too, it is important to rely on your family’s doctor for medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s health (or your health) for any reason, you should seek medical attention promptly.

Recovering the Costs of a Flu Shot Injury

While SIRVA and other flu shot-related injuries are rare, they do happen. When they happen, vaccine recipients and their families may be eligible to seek financial compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP covers SIRVA and other medical conditions linked to the flu shot, and it pays for eligible claimants’ medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses.

If your family has a VICP claim, you can hire a lawyer to take legal action at no cost. If you would like to know more about filing a VICP claim, our FAQs are a good place to start.

Learn More from the Vaccine Lawyers at the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates

At the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates, our practice is devoted to representing individuals and families in claims under the VICP. Our vaccine lawyers have extensive experience handling SIRVA claims related to the flu shot, and we handle all claims at no cost to our clients. To learn more in a free and confidential consultation, call us at 202-775-9200 or tell us how we can reach you online today.