The Flu Vaccine: Your Best Defense This Season

By Dr. Jennifer Chovitch, Family Medicine Physician, Scarsdale Medical Group/White Plains Hospital Physician Associates

Every fall, Dr. Jennifer Chovitch, a family medicine physician at Scarsdale Medical Group/White Plains Hospital Physician Associates, gets the same question from patients: Do I really need a flu shot this year?

The short answer is yes.

And there’s a good reason: Flu can be far more serious than many people realize. During the 2025-2026 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza resulted in up to 800,000 hospitalizations and as many as 81,000 deaths in the U.S.

Flu Facts vs. Fiction

“But I got the flu shot and still got sick” is something Dr. Chovitch hears often.

The flu vaccine does not provide 100% protection, and its effectiveness can vary from year to year depending in part on how closely the vaccine matches the viruses that are circulating. But preventing infection is only part of its purpose.

“The flu vaccine isn’t a guarantee that you won’t get sick, but it goes a long way in preventing serious illness and complications,” Dr. Chovitch says.

Another common misconception? That the vaccine itself can give you the flu.

“The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu because it does not contain live influenza virus,” Dr. Chovitch says. While some people may experience soreness, fatigue, headache or a low-grade fever after vaccination, these reactions are generally mild.

Who Needs Protection Most?

Anyone can catch the flu, but certain groups are at greater risk of developing serious complications, including:

• Adults age 65 and older
• Children younger than 5, particularly those under age 2
• Pregnant women and those who recently gave birth
• People with chronic health conditions, including asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney or liver disease
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with severe obesity

That doesn’t mean healthy adults should skip vaccination.

“Getting vaccinated isn’t only about protecting yourself,” Dr. Chovitch says. “It can also help protect infants, older adults and others around you who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.”

The Best Time to Get Vaccinated

Influenza viruses circulate throughout the year, but flu activity typically begins to increase in October and most often peaks between December and February. In some years, elevated activity can continue into May.

Therefore, September and October are ideal months for most people to get vaccinated, according to CDC guidance. But if you miss that window, don’t assume it’s too late: vaccination can continue throughout the season while influenza viruses are circulating.

That annual shot matters because influenza viruses continually change. In fact, all three virus components of the U.S. flu vaccine were updated for the 2026–2027 season.

Dr. Chovitch also recommends talking with your healthcare provider about whether there are other vaccines you should receive based on your age, health and individual risk factors, and whether they can be given during the same visit.

Your Best Defense Against Flu

Vaccination is an important defense, but it isn’t the only one.

Dr. Chovitch recommends washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, staying away from people who are sick when possible, improving indoor ventilation and staying home when you are ill. Masking in crowded indoor spaces during periods of increased respiratory illness can provide another layer of protection.

And don’t overlook the basics: adequate sleep, good nutrition, hydration and regular physical activity all support your overall health.

Finally, if you develop flu symptoms and are at higher risk for complications or become very sick, please contact your healthcare provider promptly. Antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, work best when started early, ideally within 48 hours of developing symptoms. In some cases, they may also be prescribed after exposure to the flu to help prevent you from becoming sick.

This story originally appeared on Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.

Dr. Jennifer Chovitch is a board-certified family medicine physician who provides comprehensive primary and preventative care.