There are other flu vaccines approved for use in people 65 years and older. If one of these vaccines is not available at the time of administration, people in this age group should get a standard-dose unadjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine instead. This recommendation is based on a review of available studies which suggests that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. Specific Flu Shots for People 65 and OlderĬDC and ACIP preferentially recommend the use of higher-dose flu vaccines ( Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine and Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine) or adjuvanted flu vaccine (Fluad Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine vaccine) over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines for people 65 years and older. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy during those months, because this can help protect their infants for the first few months after birth (when they are too young to be vaccinated).Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for children who need only one dose. For those children it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Some children need two doses of flu vaccine.

However, early vaccination can be considered for any person who is unable to return at a later time to be vaccinated. Most adults, especially those 65 years and older, and pregnant people in the first or second trimester should generally not get vaccinated early (in July or August) because protection may decrease over time.Additional considerations concerning the timing of vaccination for certain groups of people include: Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. When should I get vaccinated?įor most people who need only one dose of flu vaccine for the season, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against flu. These vaccines are preferred for people 65 years and older because a review of existing studies suggested that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. People 65 and older should get a higher dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine, including: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent, or Fluad Quadrivalent. Three specific flu vaccines are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older over other flu vaccines.

Immunity from vaccination fully sets in after about two weeks.įlu vaccination is especially important for people 65 years and older because they are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. (More information about this season’s exact vaccine composition is available at Vaccine Virus Selection.) Flu vaccines for the current flu season have been updated from last season’s vaccine to better match circulating viruses. A flu vaccine protects against the flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Annual vaccination helps to ensure the best possible protection against flu. Flu vaccines are updated each season because flu viruses are constantly changing. The best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications is with a flu vaccine.

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