Who should get a flu vaccine? 

Everyone aged six months and older should get a flu shot every year, with few exceptions. Talk to a healthcare provider about which flu vaccines are recommended for you and your family.

Vaccination is especially important for people at increased risk of serious complications from the flu.  People at increased risk include: 

• Adults aged 65 years and older 
• Children younger than two years old 
• Pregnant women
• People with asthma, diabetes, and heart or lung disease or other chronic medical conditions and  
• People with a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) 

It is also important for people who live or care for people at increased risk to get vaccinated. A caregiver can include: 

• Healthcare workers 
• Anyone who lives with someone at increased risk 
• Anyone who takes care of someone at increased risk, like family members who take care of young children or infants 
• People who work in long-term care facilities   

Visit CDC’s flu webpage for a full list of people who are at increased risk for developing complications from the flu. 

When to get your flu vaccine? 

Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated against influenza by the end of October. September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated. However, the flu vaccine can still be beneficial well into the season as long as the virus is circulating. Certain groups of people may need to get it earlier.  Talk to your healthcare provider to see when you should get your flu vaccine.  

• Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. 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. Vaccination during July and August can also be considered for children who need only one dose and have health care visits during these months. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about flu vaccination for your children.
• 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.  
• Pregnant women who are in their third trimester can get a flu vaccine in July or August to ensure their babies are protected from flu after birth when they are too young to get vaccinated. 

It is important to get a flu vaccine every year. People’s protection from vaccination declines over time, so yearly flu vaccine increases your protection. Also, flu viruses change often, so vaccines are updated each year to protect you from the flu viruses that are expected to be the most common during that flu season. You can also get your flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, like COVID-19. 

Where to get your flu vaccine? 

You can get your flu shot at many different locations, like your doctor’s office or local clinic. You can also check your college/university health center. If you don’t have a regular health care provider, you can get a flu shot at a health department or pharmacy. 

Search for a flu shot provider with VDH’s Vaccine Provider Locator or contact your local health department.  

Types of flu vaccines 

There are several vaccine options to choose from each flu season. Different vaccines are approved for different age groups and some vaccines are not recommended for some groups of people. 

The Flu Shot 

• The flu vaccine, also known as the flu shot, is usually given in the arm with a needle.  
• The flu shot can be used in people aged six months or older, including people with chronic medical conditions. 
• The flu shot does not cause the flu.

 The Nasal Spray Vaccine 

• The nasal spray flu vaccine is made with weakened live flu viruses and is given as a nasal spray. The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu.  
• The nasal spray vaccine can be used in people aged two through 49 years of age who are not immunocompromised, pregnant, or have certain medical conditions. 

Visit the CDC webpage to learn more about the different type of flu vaccines.