# 4857
Timing is everything.
Last Saturday this exact subject came up over dinner with a dear friend after I announced my intention to get my flu shot in the next week or so.
Some confusion exists because in the past the CDC had recommended that some people – particularly the elderly - wait until October or even early November . . . to get their seasonal flu shot.
The concern was that the protection afforded by an earlier shot might wear off before the flu season ended.
According to a Medscape Today report, those concerns are no longer considered valid.
Carolyn Bridges, MD, associate director for science at the CDC’s influenza division - during a teleconference two days ago - assured listeners that the protective effects of the vaccine don’t really begin to wear off for a year.
And so there is no need to wait on getting the seasonal flu vaccine.
Good news, since the number of people who ought to get the flu shot each year has expanded to nearly the entire population older than 6 months of age.
So get your shot now, and avoid the October rush.
Details of yesterday’s teleconference (which touched on a variety of vaccine related subjects) are available in the Medscape Medical News story below.
CDC No Longer Recommends Delaying Influenza Vaccination for Elderly
Robert Lowes
