You don't have time for the flu.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.

Yes, you’ll need to get both to be protected against both types of viruses. The flu vaccine gives you protection against the latest strains of flu viruses and the COVID-19 vaccines protect you against the latest strains of the COVID-19 virus. Both vaccines are updated yearly to ensure protection against the most recent strains of both the influenza and the COVID-19 virus.

If you are an adult, you can get a flu vaccine at:

• Your local pharmacy, such as CVS (Target), Walgreens, or Rite-Aid pharmacy. 
• A flu vaccine clinic
• Your doctor’s office.
• Local health department. 

Check with your local pharmacy to see what age they offer the flu vaccine to children. If unavailable at the pharmacy, children and adolescents can get the flu vaccine at their doctor’s office or local health department. If your child is between 6 months and 8 years old, two doses of the flu vaccine are needed the first time they get a flu vaccine.

For more information about flu vaccine in your county, please visit the following webpages.

Flu vaccines in Mariposa County

Visit the Mariposa County Health and Human Services Agency website.

Flu vaccines in Merced County

Visit the Merced County Department of Public Health Flu Season page.

Flu vaccines in Monterey County

Visit the County of Monterey Health Department page on flu.

Flu vaccines in San Benito County

Visit the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency website.

Flu vaccines in Santa Cruz County 

Visit the County of Santa Cruz flu page.

If you need help finding a place to get your flu vaccine, you can also go to www.myturn.ca.gov to find a location near you.

For many, the flu is a life-threatening illness. By getting a flu vaccine, you will:

• Protect yourself and others from getting sick.
• Reduce your chances of having to go to the hospital if you are sick from the flu.
• Protect groups that are at a higher risk such as babies, young children, older adults and people with chronic conditions.

After getting the flu vaccine, it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in your body to help protect you from getting the flu.

You should get a flu vaccine every year. There are two reasons why an annual flu vaccine is needed.  

1. Flu viruses are always changing. The flu vaccines are updated each year to protect people from the most current flu virus. The flu vaccine you got last year may not be the right one to protect you for this flu season.
2. A person’s immune protection from a flu vaccine is less effective over time, so a vaccine every year is needed for full protection.

Serious side effects are rare. Generally, side effects from the flu vaccine are mild and can include:

• Soreness, redness or swelling from the vaccine at the injection site.
• Headache.
• Fever.
• Nausea.
• Muscle aches.

You can find more information about the safety of flu vaccines on the CDC website.

Yes! Pregnant people who get the flu are at a higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization and complications. Flu during pregnancy can also increase the risk of preterm labor, low birth weight and health problems for the baby.

When a mother gets vaccinated for the flu during pregnancy, the baby will be protected from the flu after birth. Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect against serious risk.

Yes! Ask your doctor if you or your child need other vaccines and when their next check-up is. Make your next appointment before you leave the office. It is important to keep up with all the recommended vaccines and well-check visits to keep you and your child on track to staying healthy.