Flu shots will be back in August, but we’re still here for you

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the timing of flu season is difficult to predict – and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Typically, it’s important to get your annual flu vaccination in early fall as it’s best to be vaccinated before flu begins spreading in your community. To help patients better plan and reserve a vaccination appointment at a time that works best for them, CVS Pharmacy^® allows patients to schedule ahead, starting in late July, with appointments for flu vaccines starting in September.

In most U.S. states, flu season can last around eight months, often starting in early 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.

If you experience flu symptoms during the summer months, check in with your health care provider. 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, RSV or bronchitis.

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.

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 any time between September and October. If those months aren't convenient, you can also get your flu shot later in the season. 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 available, likely starting mid-august any day their local CVS Pharmacy^® is open, including evenings and weekends. Patients can quickly and easily make vaccination appointments at CVS Pharmacy^® by visiting CVS.com^® or through the CVS Pharmacy^® app.

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 with your provider to make sure they’re 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 CDC, an annual flu vaccination is recommended for anyone 6 months of age and older with rare exception. Our pharmacies can vaccinate children as young as 3 years old 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 65 and older, people of any age with certain immuno compromising or chronic medical conditions, infants, children younger than 5 years and pregnant women.

• Infants younger than 6 months of age 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.

Many CVS Pharmacy^® locations can immunize children ages 3 and above; however, some states have different minimum ages.

Yes. Medicare Part B covers seasonal flu vaccines for seniors.

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^® offer standard Quadrivalent (QIV) flu vaccine as well as senior-dose vaccines for adults ages 65 and older.

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 severity of illness in those people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

Yes. Pregnant women are at an increased risk for flu-related complications due to changes in their immune system, heart and lungs that occur during pregnancy. Pregnant women 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 6 months of age and above.

Minimum vaccination age for pharmacists and nurse practitioners varies by state, so be sure to check with your local pharmacy.

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. Visit care.cvs.com to sign in or create an account. CVS^® vaccine records can also be obtained by visiting your local CVS Pharmacy^®.

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, DC, 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. Practice Good Health Habits: 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 women are more likely to experience severe illness from the flu virus than other women 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 woman’s developing baby. Getting a flu shot can have benefits for both the pregnant woman 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 Pharmacy^® 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, 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.