ST. LOUIS — School is starting and the sniffles will soon follow.
Is August too soon to get your kids vaccinated against viruses like the flu?
"Getting people immunized when they are motivated to do so, or simply have the time to do so is better than getting too detailed about the actual time interval that they that they obtain vaccines," Matthew Tiefenbrunn, M.D. with Mercy Primary Care Washington, said. "I would typically recommend to my own patients to maybe wait late September, October, just based on seasonal patterns."
There is good reason for waiting until late September or October to get your flu shot.
"Because what you want is protection that will be there for the remainder of the flu season. The flu season typically peaks around February," SSM Health Infectious Disease Specialist Alexandre Lacasse, M.D. said.
As with most years, this vaccine will be different than previous years. Medical experts and vaccine makers work together to forecast the upcoming flu season.
For the 2023-2024 flu season, every vaccine will protect against four strains, two of A and two of B.
Unlike previous years, the CDC has dropped considerations for people will egg allergies.
"There's no special consideration this time. If you have an egg allergy, you can get your flu shot," Dr. Lacasse said.
Both Dr. Lacasse and Tiefenbrunn told 5 On Your Side you can get your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu shot.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.