The flu can be a serious disease, especially for young children, older adults, and people with certain health conditions, like asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. It’s important to keep yourself and your loved ones protected.
With flu season right around the corner, we sat down with our Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Dr. Cara Christ, to answer your top flu-related questions.
Q&A
Q: When does flu season begin?
A: Flu season officially starts in the United States in October each year, with Arizona’s highest peak of cases usually occurring between January and March.
Q: What is the best prevention and protection we have against influenza?
A: The best prevention we have is the flu vaccine and taking personal precautions, such as washing your hands, covering your cough, and staying home when you are sick.
Q: Who should get the vaccine?
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get vaccinated every year.
Q: When is the best time to get the flu shot?
A: I recommend getting your influenza shot as soon as it is available to you. Influenza season is unpredictable, but we generally start to see cases reported in October. It takes about two weeks to build immunity after you’ve gotten your shot, so getting it early in the season (before the end of October) is a good idea.
Q: What are the side effects of the flu shot?
A: Side effects from the influenza vaccine are different for everyone. Some people don’t have any side effects, while others have a sore arm for a day or two. Other side effects can include a headache, muscle aches, or fatigue. If you get the nasal spray, you may experience a mild runny nose for a short time.
Q: How effective is the flu vaccine and how long does protection last?
A: Flu vaccine effectiveness varies each season and depends on the age and health conditions of the person being vaccinated. Before each influenza season starts, scientists study data and the influenza season in the Southern Hemisphere to recommend the influenza vaccine composition they think will work best in the U.S. during our influenza season. Like COVID, the influenza virus can change over time, which can impact how effective – or how good of a match – the season’s vaccine is.
The protection you get from the influenza vaccine can last for several months, although your immunity from the vaccine will decline over time. In addition, there have been a couple of updates to this season’s vaccine based on circulating strains. That’s why it’s important to get vaccinated every year.
Q: Are there groups of people more susceptible to severe flu than others?
A: Yes. While influenza can cause severe infection in anyone, some people are more susceptible to bad flu outcomes. People at higher risk of developing complications from flu include pregnant women, children younger than two years old, people 65 years old and older, people with a compromised immune system, and people with certain chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurologic conditions. A full list of those at high risk for flu complications is here.
Q: What is the high-dose flu vaccine and who should get it?
A: The high-dose influenza vaccine is a special formulation of the vaccine recommended for those who are 65 and older. This helps people create a stronger immune response, which is important in older adults who may not experience as high of an immune response as those under age 65.
Q: Does the flu shot come with costs and does insurance cover it?
A: Flu shots are considered a preventative service and are covered under most insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona plans. There are also numerous no-cost clinics throughout Arizona.
Q: What are some flu symptoms?
A: Influenza symptoms include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, runny nose, and headache. Getting tested is the best way to know if you are sick with influenza, and to get the appropriate treatment if one is recommended by your provider.
Q: Where can you get a flu shot in Arizona?
You can get a vaccine at your healthcare provider's office, pharmacies, and your county health department. You can find a convenient influenza vaccination site near you by visiting: Vaccines.gov - Search for flu vaccine locations.
Q: Can you get the COVID-19 booster shot and flu shot on the same day?
New COVID-19 shots are now available to help protect people from the latest strains of the virus. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. To learn more, visit: Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines | COVID-19 | CDC
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Individuals should always consult with their healthcare providers regarding medical care or treatment, as recommendations, services or resources are not a substitute for the advice or recommendation of an individual's physician or healthcare provider. Services or treatment options may not be covered under an individual's particular health plan.