Don’t let the flu slow you down

What to know about this year's flu season and flu shot

Flu season has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you're settling back into the tailgates and school year routine, and the next it seems like everyone around you is coughing, sniffling, or calling in sick.

Fortunately, there's something you can do now to help protect yourself and your family before flu activity increases: get your annual flu vaccine.

And yes, you need one every year.

What's different about this year's flu shot?

Flu viruses change constantly. That’s why, every season, health experts review which strains are circulating and update flu vaccines. For the 2026-2027 flu season, all three components of the vaccine have been updated.

The flu changes from year to year, and therefore the vaccine changes with it. That’s why we recommend getting a flu shot every season, even if you never miss one. This year’s vaccine has been updated based on the strains expected to circulate. Getting your flu shot early means giving your body the best chance of protection heading into flu season.

Keep in mind, the flu vaccine can’t guarantee you won’t get sick. But when the vaccine viruses closely match those circulating, vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of needing to see a doctor for the flu by 40% to 60%. And if you do get the flu after being vaccinated, it can reduce the severity of your illness.

Can the flu shot give me the flu?

No, the flu shot cannot give you the flu. You may experience mild side effects after vaccination, such as soreness where you received the shot, fatigue, headache, or muscle aches. These typically resolve on their own.

As Harbor Health family nurse practitioner Diane Plas recently explained to the Austin American-Statesman, some people mistake symptoms like fever or fatigue after a flu vaccine for getting sick. In reality, those symptoms can be a normal immune response as your body builds protection.

Moving the arm where you received the vaccine can also help with soreness at the injection site. Plas recommends getting vaccinated in your dominant arm, since you're more likely to keep it moving throughout the day.

When should I get my flu shot?

For most adults, September or October is a good time to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated during this window can help your body build immunity before flu activity increases, and offers protection for more of the season.

That said, vaccination is better late than never.

If November or December rolls around and you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, it’s still worth getting vaccinated because flu activity can continue well into the winter and even spring, so getting vaccinated later can still provide important protection.

There are some exceptions when it comes to timing. Children who need two doses during the season may need to start earlier, for example. Pregnant people in their third trimester may also have different timing considerations. Your health care provider can help you determine the best timing for you.

Who should get vaccinated?

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. It's especially important for people at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu, including adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant people and people with certain chronic medical conditions.

There are also different flu vaccines available. Your age, health history, and other factors can impact which vaccine is right for you.

One small step now may prevent disruption in your health

It's easy to put off preventive care when you're feeling well. But small, consistent steps like getting your flu shot can help protect your health and keep an illness from interrupting everything else you've got going on.

Ready to schedule your flu shot? Book online at HarborHealth.com and stop by one of our clinics across Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and San Antonio.