Prevent Influenza

You can reduce your risk of being infected with influenza by getting an annual influenza vaccination. By getting an annual influenza vaccination you'll be helping to protect yourself—and the many people you come into contact with every day.

Why vaccinate?

The single best way to help prevent influenza is to get vaccinated each year. Prior years' vaccinations are unlikely to give good protection against influenza this year. One reason for this is that a person's immunity after an influenza vaccination declines over the year following the vaccination. A second reason is because influenza viruses change over time. So, each year the influenza vaccine is formulated to include influenza virus strains that are likely to be circulating now.

When to get vaccinated

Influenza season can start as early as October or November and usually reaches its peak from late December through early March. Although October and November are the recommended months for vaccination (because that is when influenza viruses begin to circulate), you should get vaccinated as soon as vaccine is available. Getting vaccinated later in the season (December through March) can still help protect you and your loved ones from influenza.

Learn how to protect yourself

Watch this informational video about how to protect
yourself and the many lives you touch.