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

Seasonal influenza activity is decreasing.* Influenza A activity is low across the U.S. and influenza B activity continues to trend downward.

The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect against the flu.* Getting a flu vaccine every year can reduce your chances of catching the flu.* People who get the annual flu shot may also have less severe symptoms if they catch the virus. It also helps reduce the chance of hospitalization, complications from the infection (such as ear infections, pneumonia, sinus infections and worsening of certain chronic conditions) and even flu-related death.

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. However, people can still 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 can 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 flu. 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).

It is generally considered safe for most people to get a flu shot and the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine at the same time. The inactivated flu vaccine does not interfere with the body's immune response to the live MMR vaccine.* 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.

For most people,  September and October are a good time to get the flu shot. If those months aren't convenient, you can still get your flu shot later in the season if 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.

Protection from the flu vaccine declines over time. A flu shot generally offers protection for at least five to six months.

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 they’re still in stock.

Yes, some people can get the flu shot at the same time* as the COVID-19 vaccine to reduce visits, if eligible.

An annual flu vaccination is recommended for anyone age 6 months or older. CVS Pharmacy® 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.

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Infants younger than 6 months 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 antibiotics, gelatin 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 influenza vaccine.

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

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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, are generally mild and go away on their own within a few 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 constantly 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.*

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 that results in someone seeking medical care by between 40 percent and 60 percent among the overall  population during seasons when 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 people are at an 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 child for the first several months after birth, when they are too young to receive the vaccination themselves. 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 for children 6 months of age and above.

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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.

CVS Pharmacy® offers egg-free flu vaccine options at most locations. Check with your CVS Pharmacy if you are seeking vaccination with an egg-free flu vaccine. If you have questions about egg-free options or an egg allergy, your CVS pharmacists can help you choose which flu vaccine is right for you.

Yes. Patients can conveniently make flu shot appointments with a certified immunizer by visiting CVS.com® or the CVS Health® 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 medications, test results, vaccination records and more. Availability varies by state based on law. Visit the health dashboard to sign in or create an account. CVS vaccine records can also be obtained by visiting your local CVS Pharmacy® location.

Yes. Businesses, schools, municipalities, senior-living  facilities and other groups may schedule an on-site flu vaccination clinic. These clinics are staffed by qualified CVS Pharmacy immunizers to help make vaccines convenient and accessible to employees, residents, staff and students. On-site vaccination clinics are available in all  states and Washington, D.C. Visit our vaccination clinic page for information.

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 regularly (especially after coughing or sneezing) with  soap and 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 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.

Visit our vaccination page for more information and additional resources. You can also visit CVS.com® or use the CVS Health® app to locate a nearby pharmacy.

If you’d like to host an on-site flu clinic, visit our vaccination clinic page for details. Flu clinics are available in all states and markets that are within 30 miles of a CVS Pharmacy® location in the same state. Available vaccines include COVID-19, flu, pneumococcal pneumonia, shingles and more. Certain immunizations have age and  location restrictions. All vaccines are administered by a certified immunizer. Begin your on-site clinic request now.