Montauk © Photo by Bertie
With all the noise out there about vaccines—RFK Jr. on podcasts, conspiracy theories flying around the internet—you might think the biggest question I get asked is whether vaccines are safe. But it’s not. The question I hear every fall is much simpler: “When’s the perfect time to get my flu shot?”
People worry that if they get vaccinated too early, the protection might wear off before the season ends. But here’s the truth: viruses don’t book in advance. Flu season can start as early as October, and COVID surges have a way of showing up whenever they please. Since it takes about two weeks after the shot for your body to build up protection, waiting means you’re vulnerable just as the virus may be starting to spread. Every year, millions of people get the flu, and hundreds of thousands end up in the hospital. The safest move is to get protected early.
It’s true that immunity fades over time. One study found that flu shot protection can drops by as much as 16% each month. That might sound like a reason to wait, but it really isn’t. Why? Because if you hold out for the “perfect” week, there’s a high chance you could get sick before the vaccine has a chance to work. Or supplies may run out and you won’t be able to get it at all.
So what should be the plan this year? From what I’ve seen so far, most COVID cases have been fairly mild, especially in younger, healthy people. The flu, on the other hand, remains a heavy hitter—which is why I recommend the flu shot for everyone and COVID vaccines for people at higher risk: adults over 65, those with chronic health problems, or anyone with a weakened immune system. And—sorry!—that just so happens to be what the CDC is recommending too.
At the end of the day, it’s worth giving up the small benefit of waiting in order to avoid the bigger risk of being unprotected. As I always tell my kids (eye roll please): don’t let the great be the enemy of the good.
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