How to Make It Through Cold and Flu Season

Chicago: You may not be able to prevent a cold or the flu, but you can lower your chances. Staying healthy also helps prevent others from getting sick.

One big step is to get a flu shot. The CDC says this is the best way to reduce risks and avoid serious health issues. Experts like Dr. Steven Gordon and pharmacist Kaitlyn Rivard say the best time to get vaccinated is September or October. If you missed that, don’t worry! The second-best time is right now.

Respiratory specialists Elena Diskin, Lisa Sollot, and Christy Gray remind us that flu shots are still available. They say flu season runs from October to April, with the most cases in January and February. So, if you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, it’s still a good idea!

You can’t get the flu from the vaccine. The CDC says flu vaccines either use killed viruses or just a small part of the virus. There’s also a nasal spray option for people ages 2 to 49. It uses weakened live viruses that won’t make you sick.

After getting your vaccine, it takes up to two weeks to work fully. So if you catch the flu right before or after getting the shot, it wasn’t because of the vaccine.

Flu vaccines are very good at preventing serious illness. The effectiveness of the vaccine can change each year. For example, during the 2024-2025 season, the shots were 56% effective, which is great compared to the past 15 years.

Vaccine effectiveness is based on real-life data comparing sick and healthy people. It shows how much less likely a vaccinated person is to get sick than someone who isn’t vaccinated. So, getting your flu shot can help keep you and others safe this season.