Schedule your fall flu shot today

In most U.S. states, flu season usually occurs in the fall and winter. It can begin as early as October and can run through late May. December through February is often referred to as peak flu season. During this time, flu viruses tend to circulate more than the rest of the year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu virus activity is higher during cold periods. The CDC states people can catch the virus outside the typical flu season. Getting your flu shot in early fall can help build up your body’s defenses before peak season hits.

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. Some people, such as people 65 years and older, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk of serious flu complications. There are two main types of influenza (flu) viruses: types A and B. The influenza A and B viruses that routinely spread in people are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year. The best way to protect yourself from the flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated with the influenza vaccine each year.

It's possible to catch the flu twice in one season. Multiple flu strains circulate during flu season. If you become infected with one strain and recover, exposure to another strain may lead to another flu infection. Annual influenza vaccines are typically formulated to offer protection against three to four flu strains that research indicates will be the most common strains during the upcoming flu season.

If you're exposed to a particular strain that's not covered in the current vaccine, infection is possible. In some cases, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses may cause symptoms similar to the current flu strain. Receiving your annual influenza vaccine in early fall can help prevent catching the flu.

The influenza virus is most active in the fall and winter. You can still get the flu in the summer, but it is not very common. Flu-like symptoms at this time of year could be the result of a different cause, such as the common cold, COVID-19 or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

We expect to see a similar volume of flu vaccinations this season and have taken proactive measures to ensure access to flu shots for patients at their local CVS Pharmacy^®.

We have an ample supply of vaccines this season and are prepared to vaccinate the communities we serve.

Yes. Patients who receive any Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended vaccine between August 11, 2025, and December 31, 2025, will also receive a $10 off $20 coupon.

It is generally considered safe for most people to get a flu shot and the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine at the same time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that these two vaccinations don't interfere with each other. However, every person's health history is different. It's important to check with your health care provider to make sure getting both vaccines at the same time is right for you.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Timing and Spacing of Immunobiologics. Published July 24, 2024.

The CDC recommends you get vaccinated early in the fall, before flu season begins, and if possible, by the end of October. It’s important to not wait until flu season is in full swing or when there is an outbreak in your area to get a flu shot since it takes about two weeks for your body to build up optimal protection after getting a flu shot. Please visit the CDC website for more information.

For best results, it's recommended to get your shot anytime between September and October. If those months aren't convenient, you can also get your flu shot later in the season, so long as the flu viruses are still circulating. Peak flu season in the United States is generally between December and February.

It takes around two weeks after receiving the shot for the body to build immunity against the flu.

Flu shots are available beginning in mid-August at CVS Pharmacy® locations, including those in Target and Schnucks.

Patients can get a flu shot once they are available, likely starting mid-August any day their local CVS Pharmacy® location is open, including evenings and weekends, as long as a certified immunizer is on duty. Patients can quickly and easily make vaccination appointments at CVS Pharmacy by visiting CVS.com® or through the CVS Health® app. Availability varies by state based on law. Age restrictions apply.

Protection from the flu vaccine declines over time. A flu shot generally offers protection for at least five to six months. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone ages 6 months and above – with some exceptions – get a flu shot each year.

You can get your flu shot until CVS Pharmacy stops carrying flu vaccine inventory, typically mid to late March. Flu vaccines at CVS Pharmacy will become available again starting in mid-August.

If you don't get your flu shot by the end of October* as recommended, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. People should continue to get the flu vaccine as long as the virus poses a threat to their community. But flu shot inventory may run out after peak flu season, so you may want to check to make sure it's still in stock.

Yes, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that patients can get any of the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as the flu shot.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an annual flu vaccination is recommended for anyone age 6 months or older, with rare exception. Our pharmacies can vaccinate children as young as age 3 in some states; however, some states have different minimum ages.

It’s especially important to protect at-risk populations from severe illness. This includes those who are at increased risk of complications from severe illness, such as adults age 65 or older, people of any age with certain immunocompromising or chronic medical conditions, infants, children age 5 or younger and pregnant people.

• Infants age 6 months or younger are too young to get a flu shot.
• People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins) should not get that vaccine. This might include gelatin, antibiotics or other ingredients.
• People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine should not get that flu vaccine  again and might not be able to receive other influenza vaccines. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine in the past, it’s important to talk with your health care provider to help determine whether vaccination is appropriate for you.
• People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting the influenza vaccine.

Many CVS Pharmacy® locations can immunize children age 3 or older; however, some states have different minimum ages.

Yes. Medicare Part B covers seasonal flu vaccines for eligible patients.

Flu shots are made with either inactivated virus or with proteins that look like a flu virus to your immune system, so people cannot get the flu from a flu shot.Common side effects can include soreness, redness/tenderness or swelling where the shot was given, headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and/or fatigue. These side effects may begin soon after the shot and usually resolve on their own in a few days. Serious allergic reactions to flu vaccines are very rare.

Flu shot side effects, such as a fever, headache and pain at the injection site, usually last between one and 2 days. Before using pain relievers to help manage side effects caused by the flu vaccine, talk to your provider. If you experience severe side effects after your flu shot, reach out to your health care provider.

If you are feeling sick, talk to your health care provider about your symptoms. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting a flu shot.

Because circulating influenza viruses are always changing, the flu vaccine is reviewed annually and updated as needed to offer optimal protection.

This year, CVS Pharmacy® is offering the standard trivalent flu vaccine as well as the higher-dose and adjuvanted vaccines recommended for adults age 65 or older and those who have had a solid organ transplant.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE): Higher-Dose and Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccines for Solid Organ Transplant Recipients. Published August 28, 2024. 

Some people who get vaccinated may still get sick.

While vaccine effectiveness can vary, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40 percent and 60 percent among the overall  population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are  well-matched to those used to make flu vaccines. Vaccination has been  shown in several studies to reduce the severity of illness in those people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

Yes. Pregnant people are at increased risk for flu-related complications due to changes in their immune system, heart and lungs that occur during pregnancy. Pregnant people who get a flu shot also help provide protection from the flu to their babies for the first several months after birth when they are too young to receive the vaccination.

Learn more about vaccines and pregnancy

Yes, the CDC-recommended doses for seniors ages 65 and above are safe and available at CVS Pharmacy^®.

Yes, the influenza vaccine is safe and recommended for children age 6 months or older, with rare exceptions.

Unless otherwise directed, you can resume normal activities after receiving your flu shot.

Oseltamivir will be available at CVS Pharmacy^®. CVS Pharmacy^® also carries the antiviral medication Xofluza. Both medications require a prescription.

Yes. Patients can conveniently make flu shot appointments with a certified immunizer by visiting CVS.com^® or the CVS Pharmacy^® app.

Yes, vaccination appointments can be made on behalf of someone else. Select “Self” when scheduling for yourself or “Someone else” when scheduling on behalf of someone else.

Groups of up to 4 people can schedule an appointment at the same time so everyone can be vaccinated during the same visit. Individual appointments can be scheduled if members in the household have a different day or time preference.

At CVS Health®, your personalized health dashboard gives you access to your vaccination records, medications, test results and more. Availability varies by state based on law. Visit care.cvs.com to sign in or create an account. CVS® vaccine records can also be obtained by visiting your local CVS Pharmacy® location.

Yes. Businesses, senior-living  facilities, schools, municipalities and other groups may also schedule  an on-site flu vaccination clinic staffed by qualified CVS Pharmacy® immunizers to help make vaccines convenient and accessible to employees, staff, residents and students. On-site vaccine clinics are available in all  states and Washington, D.C., and for other vaccinations as well. More  information, including the ability to schedule a vaccination clinic, is  available at https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/flu/clinics

Touching everyday items like door handles and other surfaces can be difficult to avoid. To help combat the spread of viruses and bacteria, wash your hands frequently (especially after coughing or sneezing) with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose. Alcohol-based sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol can be used when you are on the go and soap and water are not available.

Getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking adequate fluids and eating nutritious food are all healthy habits that can help protect you against flu.

If you’re sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to help prevent spreading the illness.

Children younger than age five (especially under the age of two) are at high risk for flu-related complications. For school-aged children, remind them of the importance of hand washing and using tissues when they cough or sneeze. Please note the influenza vaccine is not approved for children younger than six months of age.

Pregnant people are more likely to experience  severe illness from the flu virus than other people of reproductive age  who are not pregnant. This is due to changes in the immune system, heart and lungs that occur during pregnancy. Flu may also be harmful for a  pregnant person's/person developing baby. Getting a flu shot can have benefits  for both the pregnant person's/person and the developing baby.

• Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm  and https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/get-vaccinated for more information and additional resources. Consumers can also visit CVS.com® or use the CVS Health® app to locate a nearby pharmacy. Shop cold and flu support products here.
• Please visit our website for details on hosting an on-site flu clinic. Flu clinics are available in all states and markets, within 30 miles of a CVS Pharmacy® location in the same state. Available vaccines include flu, COVID-19, shingles, pneumococcal pneumonia and more. Certain immunizations have age and  location restrictions. All vaccines are administered by certified  immunizers. To begin your on-site clinic request now, go to https://vaccineclinicscheduler.cvs.com
• Visit CVS.com® for more information on the vaccines offered. Certain immunizations have age and location restrictions.