The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommend Iowans get a flu vaccine before the flu begins spreading in your community. Officials say it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout flu season, even into January or later.

A few things are new this season:

• Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses.
• For the 2018-2019 season, the nasal spray flu vaccine is again a recommended option for influenza vaccination of persons for whom it is otherwise appropriate. The nasal spray is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals, 2 years through 49 years of age. There is a precaution against the use of LAIV for people with certain underlying medical conditions.
• No intradermal flu vaccine will be available.

For more information on the flu vaccine, go to https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2018-2019.htm