You may be thinking, I rarely get sick, or I had a flu shot last year. Those are understandable reasons to wonder whether another vaccination is worth your time. The flu, however, changes from year to year, and so does the protection you need.

An annual flu shot is one of the simplest steps you can take to reduce your risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications. It may also help make the illness less severe if you are vaccinated and still become sick.

What Changed for the 2026–2027 Flu Season?

For the 2026–2027 season, all three virus components in U.S. flu vaccines were updated compared with the previous season. One of those changes specifically addresses an influenza A(H3N2) virus that circulated widely during the 2025–2026 season.

That update is an important reminder that last year’s vaccine is not designed for this year’s flu season. Scientists review surveillance data and update flu vaccines to better match the viruses expected to circulate.

Why Do You Need a Flu Shot Every Year?

Flu viruses keep changing

Influenza viruses evolve constantly. The vaccine is reviewed and may be updated each season so it can target the strains experts expect to be most common.

Protection decreases over time

Your immune protection from vaccination can fade. Receiving a current seasonal vaccine helps refresh that protection when flu activity begins to rise.

Flu can be more serious than people expect

For some people, flu is more than a few uncomfortable days at home. It can lead to complications, hospitalization and worsening of chronic health conditions. Even healthy children and adults can develop serious illness.

What Can a Flu Shot Do?

Flu vaccine effectiveness varies from season to season, but vaccination continues to offer meaningful benefits. It can reduce flu illness and flu-related medical visits, lower the risk of hospitalization and help reduce the severity of illness among people who become infected despite vaccination.

During the 2024–2025 season, the CDC estimates that flu vaccination prevented millions of illnesses and medical visits, along with approximately 180,000 flu-related hospitalizations in the United States. Those numbers change each year, but the purpose remains the same: reduce the likelihood that flu disrupts your health, work, school and family life.

Who Should Get a Flu Vaccine?

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older who does not have a medical reason to avoid it. Your healthcare provider can help you choose an age-appropriate vaccine and discuss any concerns based on your health history.

Vaccination is especially important for people who face a higher risk of serious flu complications, including older adults, young children, pregnant patients, people with weakened immune systems and people living with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or kidney disease.

A note for families: Some children between 6 months and 8 years old need two flu vaccine doses at least four weeks apart. Your child’s pediatric or primary care provider can tell you how many doses are needed.

When Is the Best Time to Get Vaccinated?

For most people, September and October are good times to receive a flu vaccine. Ideally, vaccination should happen by the end of October, before flu activity typically increases. It takes about two weeks for your body to develop protection after vaccination.

If October has already passed, it is not necessarily too late. Vaccination should continue throughout the season while flu viruses are circulating. Timing can be different for young children who need two doses, pregnant patients and adults 65 and older, so ask your provider what makes sense for you.

Does Everyone Receive the Same Flu Vaccine?

No. Several age-appropriate vaccine options may be available. Most people can receive any flu vaccine approved for their age and health status.

Adults 65 and older are preferentially recommended to receive a high-dose, recombinant or adjuvanted flu vaccine when one is available. If one of those options is not available, receiving another age-appropriate flu vaccine is better than delaying vaccination.

Pregnant patients should receive an injectable flu vaccine, not the nasal spray vaccine. The flu shot may be given during any trimester. The nasal spray is an option for some people ages 2 through 49, but it is not recommended during pregnancy or for people with certain medical conditions.

Common Questions About the Flu Shot

Can the flu shot give me the flu?

No. Flu shots are made with inactivated virus or without flu virus, depending on the vaccine. They cannot cause influenza. Some people experience a sore arm, mild fever, headache, fatigue or muscle aches afterward. These effects are generally mild and short-lived.

Can I still get the flu after vaccination?

Yes. No vaccine offers complete protection, and effectiveness can vary depending on the viruses circulating that season. You also may be exposed before your body has had time to build protection. Even when vaccination does not prevent infection, it can still reduce the severity of illness.

Should I talk with my provider first?

A conversation is especially important if you have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine, have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, are currently moderately or severely ill, are pregnant, or have questions about which vaccine is appropriate for your age or medical conditions.

Make Flu Protection Part of Your Primary Care Plan

A flu shot takes only a few minutes, but the decision can help protect your health throughout the season. Your primary care provider can review your vaccination history, answer questions and help you choose the vaccine that fits your age and health needs.

Protect Yourself and Your Community

Ready to get started? Schedule a flu vaccination with a West Tennessee Medical Group Primary Care clinic. Find a location near you.

This article was originally published on September 30, 2024