Yes! It’s not too late, because flu hasn’t actually peaked in the U.S. yet, so there’s still a lot of flu going around. There are still over a million new cases of flu each week!
This year’s flu vaccine isn’t a particularly great match for the new flu strain (subclade K) that is dominant right now – but that doesn’t mean that getting the vaccine is useless. Even a poorly matched flu shot still gives us some protection, because it contains 3 strains, including H3N2, which is the strain du jour. Per YLE, preliminary data from the U.K. this year shows that flu vaccination helps cut hospitalizations by about a third or more in adults, and that number is even higher in kids at 70-75%. And even with a less-than-ideal match, it can still shorten duration and severity if you do catch the flu.
But if you haven’t, it’s not too late to get the flu shot this year since flu is still going strong. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to ramp up to full protection, but the season doesn’t end until March or even April, so you may save yourself a headache (literally…and fever, and chills, etc.) if you go get a dose.
Other actions you can take to help reduce your chances of getting the flu include wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, improving ventilation (crack a window at that family gathering!), and staying home when sick.
If you do get sick with the flu, you can start antivirals, like Tamiflu, in the first 48 hours, which can usually shave about a day off the length of your illness. Importantly, if someone else in your household is sick and you start Tamiflu, that can help prevent you from getting it if your doctor prescribes it for you.
H5N1 is the strain of bird flu that’s wreaking havoc on wild birds and mammals, and that tore through dairy farms over the last few years in the U.S. But there are other strains of avian flu, including H9N2 and H5N2, that are concerning scientists as some cases rise around the world.