Timing of flu shots?

[2boyzmama]

My son's pulmonologist is very adamant that flu shots should only be received between Halloween and Thanksgiving, that otherwise you won't have protection during the prime flu season.

Now the shots are showing up earlier and earlier. Is that because there is reason to suspect the flu will circulate earlier this year? Or is it just a marketing ploy (be the first to offer it at your store, hopefully get the most sold). Because if it's the latter, won't that *hurt* the "get your flu shot" cause? When everyone's "immunity" wears off in Feb and people start getting sick, what will the explanation be then?

[MountainMamaGC]

If its the latter, then you can buy 2 flu shots. One in Oct and one in Feb.

[tanyalynn]

I've not read that anyone expects this to be an atypical flu season. I think they're trying to get flu shots out earlier in part to coincide with the beginning of the school year. I'm guessing that within a few years there will be advertising to the effect of getting your child's vaccines up-to-date before school starts including influenza every year.

I could've sworn that some of the push for H1N1 included data (and note, I only read the articles, never original data) that said that they expected flu vaccines to last at least a year--I think it was supposed to have a crossover protective effect for this year since they expect H1N1 to still be circulating. But, I didn't see the original data, no idea how solid it was.

[Adamsmama]

I've read that the immunity lasts for one year. Last year H1N1 started circulating in late August (right around the first few weeks of school). My asthma specialist (I have severe asthma) told me the sooner I get it, the better because of complications being 3rd trimester and severely asthmatic would bring should I get the flu.