Who Needs a Flu Shot

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Basics

What to know
This page provides essential information about seasonal influenza (flu) vaccines, including their purpose and effectiveness.
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions.
Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from flu.
People with egg allergy may receive any vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status.
Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor's visits each year.

Benefits of flu vaccination

●Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu.
●Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor's visits each year. For example, during 2019-2020, the last flu season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7 million influenza illnesses, 3 million influenza-associated medical visits, 100,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 7,000 influenza-associated deaths in the United States.
During seasons when flu vaccine viruses are similar to circulating flu viruses, flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor with flu by 40% to 60%.