In most years, you want to get a flu shot well before flu season gets started, but that hasn't been possible in recent years. With flu shot delays or shortages, your child can get his flu shot as soon as your pediatrician gets flu shots, even if it isn't until January or later. Late flu shots shouldn't be a problem this year though, as they have been in plentiful supply.
So is it too late to get a flu shot?
The CDC does recommend that flu 'vaccine should continue to be offered to unvaccinated people throughout the flu season as long as vaccine is still available.' Keep in mind that the later you wait, the more time that your child will be unprotected, especially once flu activity increases in late-December and January.
When Should You Get A Flu Shot
While ideally you should have gotten your flu shot in October or November, that sometimes doesn't happen. You may have put it off and now realize that it is flu season as you hear reports of kids getting sick with the flu and you see a lot of empty seats at school from kids staying home sick...Of course, it would be better to get a flu shot much earlier so that you are protected for the full flu season. But if you consider that when flu season gets off to a late start, it can continue through March or April, a flu shot even in January or February can still protect you for a few months.
And with the typical increase in flu activity in February, this would still be a good time to get a flu shot and get protected for the rest of the flu season if you have not gotten one yet, especially if there aren't high rates of flu activity in your area yet.
Keep in mind that for children under age 9 years, who are getting a flu shot for the first time and need two flu shots one month apart to get full protection, starting their shots too late offers a short amount of time with protection. Still, one shot offers some protection and if the shots prevent a case of the flu late in the season, it can still be worth it.
Finding Flu Shots
Because of the flu shot delays and shortages in recent years, finding a flu shot, even if you want one, may have been difficult. The supply of flu shots looks good this year though and most pediatricians and clinics likely still have flu shots.And remember that you could have gotten your healthy child over age two vaccinated with FluMist if you couldn't find a flu shot.
Avoiding The Flu
Also remember that a flu shot won't protect your child right away if they are exposed to the flu. Instead, you might ask your doctor about a preventative, anti-viral medication, like Tamiflu.
Updated for the 2008-2009 flu season.
Source:
Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2008 - July 17, 2008. MMWR. July 17, 2008 / 57 (Early Release), 1-60.
