Dr. Mask: It's ideal time for flu shot

Dr. Allen Mask offered these facts about flu season and the importance of getting a flu shot.

Posted 11:33 p.m. Nov 14, 2012 — Updated 12:04 a.m. Nov 15, 2012

Dr. Allen Mask offered these facts about flu season and the importance of getting a flu shot:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu shot for everyone over the age of 6 months, particularly people at high risk for flu, such as pregnant women and the elderly.
You should not get a flu shot if you're allergic to chicken eggs, have had a reaction to the vaccine in the past or have a moderate fever.
Mid-November is the best time to get the vaccine, even though some pharmacies begin offering it as early as August. Flu season peaks in mid to late February.

It takes two weeks for the vaccine to kick in and it lasts about 6 months.

The flu shot comes in several forms: the regular shot (recommended for anyone aged 6 months or older), a high-dose version for people over the age of 65, a nasal mist available for healthy people between 2 and 49 years old and an intradermal vaccine with a smaller needle for people aged 18 to 64.

It's a myth that the flu shot causes people to contract influenza. In fact, most people have no side effects except for some soreness around the injection site. A small number of people may experience mild fever or muscle aches.

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