Flu vaccines

Flu shots are available in the community at most doctors' offices, retail pharmacies, and through Monterey County Health Department vaccination clinics. Visit our seasonal flu page for the latest information on where you can find a clinic.

The best time to receive influenza vaccination is prior to seeing influenza cases in the community. Early fall – September and October – is an excellent time to get vaccinated against influenza as influenza activity is most common in the fall and winter months and typically peaks between December and February.

You are fully protected approximately 10–14 days days after getting the shot. 

Yes. Several other viruses circulate during the influenza season and can cause illness, including COVID-19 and RSV.

The CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends almost everyone aged 6 months and older and those who are high risk for complications get vaccinated annually.

People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting the flu vaccine. If you are ill, check with your doctor. People with mild illness can usually get the vaccine.

• Influenza is a serious respiratory disease. In an average year, 36,000 Americans die from influenza-related causes
• Some people with influenza have no symptoms, increasing the risk of transmission to others. Also, the influenza virus may be shared for 24 hours before symptoms begin, increasing the risk of transmission
• It is more important now than ever to protect yourself and others from the flu, not only for you and your household, but for the entire community
• Influenza vaccination reduces hospitalizations and deaths, reduces severity of illness, reduces the risk for a major cardiac event, and protects pregnant women and babies

Visit our seasonal flu page or visit the CDC's flu page for more information on the flu vaccine.

Herd immunity occurs when 80 percent or more of a given population has immunity against a disease, thus significantly slowing the rate of transmission and protecting the entire “herd."

The influenza vaccine cannot give you the flu. It may seem like you can get the flu from the shot because:

• The vaccine is designed to stimulate your immune system, and symptoms of that immune system stimulation can be similar to a mild flu-like illness with fatigue, body aches or low grade fevers
• You may have been exposed prior to vaccination
• You may be exposed during the two weeks immediately following your vaccination before your body has built immunity
• You may be exposed to a flu strain not covered by the vaccine. Vaccination does not prevent all disease, but the severity of the symptoms will be less with the flu shot.

Common side effects may include mild symptoms like soreness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, and muscle aches.

Flu vaccines are available for free through most insurances (although it may not cover the cost of a doctor’s office visit). They are also available for free through Monterey County Health Department vaccination clinics and at most pharmacies.

The influenza virus changes often, making annual vaccination necessary. Immunity following vaccination lasts at least 12 months and is strongest for two to six months.

There’s no way to predict effectiveness with any certainty because flu viruses are constantly mutating. But each vaccine is designed to protect people from the strains deemed most likely to be prevalent in any given year.

The CDC highly recommends flu vaccinations during any stage of pregnancy. If you have questions or concerns, please check with your healthcare provider.