There’s a lot of info out there about vaccines — their efficacy, their safety, the science behind them — and much more. It can be hard to figure out what directly affects you and what doesn’t, but don’t worry! We’re here to help. One of the most important things you can do to ensure that seasonal vaccinations work to their full potential is super simple, yet often overlooked.
It’s all about the timing.
So, when’s the right time to get a vaccine? We’ll get to that, but first — when’s the WRONG time to get a vaccine?
The “wrong” time to get a vaccine is when you hear about it on the news. By that point, it’s spread enough and is affecting enough people for it to become newsworthy — and you want to be protected before that happens.
–Dr. Neal Smoller
Read on to learn more about seasonal vaccinations: Why timing is so crucial, what the optimal seasonal vaccine schedule looks like, and where to find more resources.
In This Article:
- Why Does Timing Matter for Seasonal Vaccinations?
- When is the Best Time to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
- When is Flu Vaccine Season?
- When Should I Get My RSV Vaccine?
- Putting It All Together
Why Does Timing Matter for Seasonal Vaccinations?
The CDC, top doctors, and vaccine experts at Village Apothecary all agree: never delay vaccination.
Always, always, always get vaccinated as soon as possible based on what the experts deem “optimal” timing. Why? Because it takes about 2 weeks from the vaccination date to build up a proper response — so waiting until the last minute simply won’t give you the protection you seek.
If we’re trying to optimize the protection we get from seasonal vaccines, we have to follow these guidelines, not just what feels best to us as individuals. (And certainly not what would be best for our work and holiday schedules, but wouldn’t that be great?)
The other important thing to remember is that while the optimal times to get these seasonal vaccines are relatively close to one another, it’s not as simple as waiting and getting them all at once. We also don’t want to try and “time it out” like some people try to time the stock market. You’ll probably lose that bet!
Learn More: Vaccine Season Preview: 2024-2025
When is the Best Time to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
- Short Answer: Late August to early September; preferably before Labor Day.
At Village Apothecary, we recommend always getting your COVID-19 vaccine within 3 weeks of becoming eligible. Usually, doses are made available in late August or early September, then the CDC authorizes them for use for specific populations. For maximum protection, you should be getting vaccinated shortly after vaccines become available to your population.
Ideally, we recommend you be vaccinated by early September, as the fall wave has been found to start pretty consistently after Labor Day.
Remember, while we have relatively consistent peaks of COVID in the summer and fall, COVID-19 is not seasonal like flu. You do have a risk of getting COVID-19 infections all year, so continue doing your best to minimize exposure.
FAQ: What if I’ve recently had COVID?
- We recommend you hold off on immediate immunization since you have some natural protection for a time.
- Currently, you can wait up to 3 months after infection before vaccination is recommended.
- This is just a recommendation, though – technically you can be vaccinated as soon as you have recovered from the current infection.
- Our advice: Wait until about 2 months after you recover, then make your way to Village Apothecary to get your shot!
What Time of Year Should I Get The Flu Vaccine?
- Short Answer: Generally, October or early November — but watch out for early flu surges!
Flu vaccine season traditionally starts in late October or November, peaks between December and February, and lasts until about May. However, there are plenty of recorded examples of early starts, so effective vaccination must take this into account. Generally, the ideal time to get vaccinated for flu is in October or early November.
(Psst — are you a proud data nerd like we are? Check out this neat tool from the CDC to monitor, compare, and analyze the facts around respiratory illnesses.)
When Should I Get My RSV Vaccine?
- Short Answer: Late summer to early fall generally provides the best protection.
RSV generally follows similar patterns to flu activity in our fall “storm” of respiratory illnesses — starting in late fall, peaking during winter, and lasting until around May. Per the CDC, the best time to be vaccinated against RSV is between late summer and early fall.
Remember: The CDC confirms the RSV vaccine offers protection for at least two seasons. So you don’t need to get this one every year. Check with your medical provider or vaccination records to determine when or if you need another dose.
Putting It All Together: 2024 Seasonal Vaccinations
Here are Dr. Neal’s recommendations for protecting yourself from seasonal illness this fall:
COVID-19
- Ideally, you’ll already have the 2024 COVID vaccine in early September, as the fall COVID-19 wave starts pretty religiously after Labor Day.
- But remember, while we have fairly predictable peaks of COVID in the summer and fall, COVID-19 is not seasonal like flu. You have a risk of getting COVID-19 infections all year.
Flu
- Generally, the ideal time to get the flu vaccine is in October or early November.
- Don’t forget, though, that we’ve had plenty of examples of early flu seasons. So if it seems like the flu is coming early, it probably is. Get your shot!
RSV
- We recommend you receive the RSV vaccine in August, before all the chaos of COVID and flu vaccines.
- RSV vaccines must be mixed and take a little longer. Plus, availability could be spotty when everyone’s rushing out to get an RSV shot.
- If you aim to get your dose as soon as possible, like in August, not only are fewer people around getting vaccinated, but the RSV vaccines work more effectively due to better timing.
Seasonal Vaccinations Made Simple
While this all seems pretty simple — and it is! — it’s important to remember that none of these ‘seasons’ are set in stone. Dr. Neal’s recommendations will go a long way toward getting your timing right and your protection optimized, but vaccines aren’t perfect and viruses aren’t predictable – even ones like the flu that we’ve been dealing with for decades!
If you start with an RSV shot in August (assuming you’re eligible), a COVID shot in early September (before Labor Day if you can help it!), and a flu shot in October, you should be pretty dang well-protected from the flurry of viral activity that characterizes the winter months. But don’t keep your head in the sand!
The flu can come early, COVID-19 infections can happen at any point during the year, and RSV isn’t perfectly predictable either. The absolute best thing you can do for your health is to get the vaccines in a timely manner, yes, but also stay vigilant, consider distancing and/or masking during peak season, and continue to avoid exposure as much as possible.
With all these tools in your toolbelt, plus Village Apothecary on your team, you’ll have the best support you can muster, no matter what flu season looks like.
