Flu shots: When should you get your vaccination? And where can you get it?

The Centers for Disease Control are advising people get their flu shot in October. (Contributed photo/CDC)

It's time to roll up your sleeve and get your flu vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends almost everyone ages six months and older – particularly those with chronic health conditions - receive the yearly vaccination. People should get the flu shot as soon as it becomes available, if possible by October. If you miss that window, the CDC said a late vaccine is better than no vaccine at all, since the influenza season can run for October through May.

"While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, during most seasons influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community," CDC said in written statement.

The CDC isn't recommending the nasal flu vaccine this year, citing its low rate of effectiveness. Two injectable vaccines are available, both formulated against what's expected to be this year's prevalent strains. The CDC said there's no preference for one injectable vaccine over another.

Where can you get a flu shot?

Flu vaccines are available in numerous locations, including doctor's offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers, and even in some schools. You can use the CDC's Vaccine Locator tool here to find vaccine in your area.

There are expected to be between 157 to 168 million doses of the injectable influenza vaccine for the U.S. market.

You can see information on the average cost of flu shots here.

Flu is blamed for almost 4,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S. Symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuff nose, muscle and body aches, headaches and fatigue and people with the flu are able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick.

Article Resources:http://www.al.com/