Good News About the Flu Vaccine

Every year, experts make a new batch of flu vaccine. The vaccine doesn’t always match the circulating strains. But even in a year when the vaccine failed to match, it still cut the risk of catching flu, says a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Public health experts strongly recommend a yearly flu shot. The shot is especially important for people age 50 and older and for those with certain illnesses, such as diabetes. Getting inoculated can reduce the chance that you’ll need to be hospitalized for flu complications.

In fact, the shot could even save your life. Nine out of 10 flu-related deaths occur in adults age 65 and older.

The best time to get your flu shot is in the fall. But flu season in the United States often doesn’t peak until January or later. So, early winter isn’t too late.