Feb 19, 2025
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Health
Determine which flu vaccine is best for you
Cool mornings mean fall is near — it’s time to think about your flu shot
Flu season typically runs from October through May, with a peak between December and February. Most health insurance plans cover the annual flu vaccination as preventive care.
For the 2025-2026 flu season, all flu vaccines used in the United States are trivalent (three component) vaccines. Trivalent flu vaccines are formulated to protect against three main groups of the seasonal influenza Type A and B viruses: H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria lineage.
When should I get vaccinated?
Timing is important. It takes about two weeks for your body to build an immune response after vaccination. If you are vaccinated too early, your protection may wear off before the end of flu season. The best time to get your flu vaccine is early fall, ideally between late September and the end of October.
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Which type is best for me?
FluMist is a live attenuated (weakened) influenza vaccine administered as a nasal spray. It is needle-free, convenient and now available for home use for ages 2-49. Studies show FluMist tends to be more effective in children than in adults, and it is not approved for adults over age 49. FluMist is not recommended for pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, or patients with certain health conditions.
Flu shots are inactivated vaccines given by injection and are considered the gold standard for seniors. These vaccines contain killed (inactive) virus particles and have a long-standing safety record.
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The standard-dose flu vaccine is the traditional flu shot. It is generally safe and effective for most people, but it may not be the best option for seniors, whose immune responses tend to be weaker.
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High-dose flu vaccines contain four times the amount of antigen compared to the standard-dose flu shot and are approved for patients ages 65 and older. The antigen is the part of the vaccine that triggers the immune response. Studies show the high-dose vaccine can reduce flu-related hospitalizations and illness by about 24% more than the standard shot in patients 65+.
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The adjuvanted flu vaccine (Fluad) contains an adjuvant, an ingredient that helps enhance the body’s immune response to the vaccine. Fluad is also approved for people aged 65 and older.
If you are unsure which vaccine is best for you or a loved one, discuss your options with your healthcare provider. TidalHealth Home Scripts at the TidalHealth Ocean Pines Campus and AGHRx RediScripts Pharmacies, located in Berlin and Ocean Pines, offer standard and high-dose flu shots. TidalHealth Home Scripts can be reached at 410-543-4769. AGHRx RediScripts Pharmacies can be reached at 410-641-9240 (Berlin) or 410-629-6240 (Ocean Pines).
TidalHealth, including Atlantic General Hospital, is hosting more than a dozen community flu clinics in Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Sussex counties. To see a full list, visit tidalhealth.org/flu.
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