October is time to consider getting annual flu shot
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By Olivia West
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — As fall settles in across Ringgold County and the first signs of colder months begin to appear, health officials are reminding residents that now is a good time to get their annual flu shot.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine each year, with rare exceptions. For most people, September and October are considered the best months to get vaccinated, with the goal of having everyone vaccinated by the end of October.
That timing is important because it gives the body time to develop protection before flu activity becomes widespread. After receiving a flu vaccine, it generally takes about two weeks for the body to develop antibodies that provide protection against influenza.
It may seem like getting vaccinated as early as possible would always be best, but health officials caution that protection from the vaccine can decrease over time.
For that reason, most adults — particularly those age 65 and older — are generally advised against getting vaccinated too early in July or August unless there is a concern they will not be able to get vaccinated later.
September and October provide a balance between allowing immunity to develop before flu season and maintaining protection later in the season.
However, residents who have not received their flu vaccine by the end of October should not assume they have missed their opportunity. The CDC recommends continuing vaccination throughout the flu season as long as flu viruses are circulating and vaccine is available.
Children can have different vaccination timing depending on their previous vaccination history.
Some children between 6 months and 8-years-old need two doses of flu vaccine. Those children should receive their first dose as soon as the vaccine is available because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.
Pregnant women and older adults also have specific considerations when deciding when to receive their vaccine. People who are pregnant, age 65 or older, have certain chronic medical conditions, or are otherwise at higher risk of serious flu complications are particularly encouraged to stay up to date on flu vaccination.
The flu vaccine is recommended every year because protection can decrease over time and influenza viruses change from season to season.
For the 2026-27 flu season, all three components of the U.S. flu vaccines were updated compared with the previous season. The updated vaccines include protection against influenza viruses expected to be most common during the upcoming season.
Flu vaccination does not guarantee that a person will not become sick, but it can reduce the risk of influenza illness and can make illness less severe for people who do become infected. It also reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death.
Flu vaccines are available through doctors’ offices, clinics, pharmacies, health departments and other health care locations.
For Ringgold County residents who have not yet received their flu shot this fall, October is a good time to make the appointment — and getting vaccinated later is still worthwhile if October passes. You can get your flu shot at Ringgold County Hospital, HyVee Clinic & Pharmacy or Mount Ayr Medical Clinic.
The CDC’s message is straightforward: don’t wait until flu is already spreading heavily to protect yourself and those around you.
