Flu shots and COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone over 6 months get a flu shot every season with rare exceptions.

Dr. Priya Sampathkumar, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, says getting vaccinated for the flu is safe. Billions of doses have been given for more than 80 years to prevent flu, reduce symptoms and protect people who are at higher risk of complications.

"In most places, flu starts circulating by November, December. So it's recommended that everyone complete their flu vaccine by October. And now is the right time to start getting the flu vaccine," she says.
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For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a nonpatient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.