Flu season is just around the corner, and with it comes flu vaccinations. However, with COVID-19, some things about this year’s shot are uncertain. As Montgomery County begins to prepare for flu vaccinations, the county has released general guidelines for people to find why and where to get their flu shots.

The flu shot is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the flu, and according to a recent article on flu vaccinations published by CNBC, “this year’s flu season will be particularly brutal.” With a higher number of people at risk of contracting the flu and the public that has gradually been lowering its guard against COVID-19, vaccination may be particularly important this season.

However, there has been some uncertainty with this year’s vaccine itself. According to Richard Montgomery school health nurse Jean Gambo, it is “generally very important,” for people to get the flu vaccine. However, nurse Gambo also says that manufacturers “generally develop the vaccine based on the previous year’s flus [sic],” and with fewer cases of the flu last year, she says that she is unsure of how effective this year’s shot will be. As more people were wearing masks and washing their hands last flu season, changing the pattern of contractions, the protection this year’s vaccine will offer is more uncertain. 

According to the CDC, the flu vaccination can still reduce the risk of contracting the flu by, “ between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to those used to make flu vaccines,” and even for those who still contract the flu, the shot can help to “reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.”

Flu shots are typically available at multiple locations, including doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and vaccination clinics. According to the CDC, 188-200 million doses of the shot are predicted to be supplied to providers across the United States. Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will be hosting vaccination clinics from October 15 until November 22, and vaccination dates and locations can be found on the Montgomery County government website. There are also school-based clinics for high school students being hosted during November by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, but at the moment, Richard Montgomery has not been provided as an option. 

CVS, Walgreens, Harris Teeter and Giant currently offer free flu shots and are taking appointments for vaccinations on their websites, and CVS also currently allows for walk-in vaccinations. Another way to get the vaccine is to contact a local doctor’s office or health center to schedule a vaccination appointment. Doctors’ offices and health centers that provide the flu vaccine, along with other vaccine providers, can also be found by searching ‘flu vaccination near me.’

The flu mainly spreads between the fall and winter months, which is why the CDC says that “ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October,” though both the CDC and FDA say that it is important that people get the vaccine, even if it is not done during October, in order to lower chances of contracting the flu.