Flu Season | Why It’s Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot

Flu season is upon us and as winter approaches, it is important to keep yourself safe. Bowie Health offers flu shots by appointment and through the Friday Flu Clinic. Experts from Northeastern say the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving get-togethers are a great time to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza.

“Now is exactly the right time,” if you haven’t gotten it already, says Samuel Scarpino, director of life sciences at the Institute for Experiential AI at Northeastern University.

“The flu vaccine is a good match, which isn’t the case every year,” he says.

With the flu starting early this year, Bowie Health’s Friday Flu Clinic is effectively vaccinated the Maryland area. 

While it is never too late to get your flu shot, experts advise against getting it as soon as it rolls out in early August and September. The flu shot lasts about 6 months but it does start to lose its effectiveness. If you get the vaccine as soon as it rolls out, you may not be at peak performance in January, February, and March when the flu often peaks.

Even though the flu started earlier this year, influenza is still on the uprise. If you are considering getting your flu shot, now is the time to do it.

Available Flu Shots In Maryland

Some studies have shown that the flu vaccine can lessen the severity of the illness. In one study, deaths, hospitalizations, and length of hospitalization were reduced by the flu vaccine. Furthermore, each flu vaccine offers protection for more than one virus. This means that while it may not have been effective for one virus, it may protect you from others.

Contact our office to schedule your flu shot Mondays 12:00-4:00PM, Wednesdays 9:30AM-2:45PM and Thursdays 9:30AM-2:45PM.