Many doctors offices and pharmacies receive their first shipment of flu vaccines as early as August. This is a great time to receive the vaccine because it takes about 2 weeks for it to become effective, and flu season generally begins in October. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as soon as it becomes available. The flu vaccine should not wear off before the end of the flu season. In fact, the flu vaccine typically lasts for an entire year.
