Amid political chatter about vaccines and the government entities that oversee them, it’s understandable to wonder where all this leaves the 2025–26 flu vaccine. In short: Yes, the flu shot is still a thing, and yes, you should get your flu shot this year.
In the U.S. influenza infection typically peaks in February, so September, October, or early November is the best time to get your flu shot. This allows your body time to build up its protective antibodies as flu season begins and ensures your protection doesn’t wane before it ends.
Similar to the COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccines are best at protecting us from the most severe consequences of influenza—in other words, the flu vaccine is most effective at keeping people out of the hospital or the intensive care unit and keeping people from dying.
“A flu vaccine may not guarantee perfect protection against the flu, but skipping your flu shot simply guarantees you’ll have no protection at all,” Lee said.