Although flu season in the U.S. is usually in the winter, the severity and timing of a flu season vary from year to year.
This article will go over when flu season occurs in different parts of the world. You’ll also learn which months the flu is active and when flu season is over.
When Exactly Is Flu Season?
In the U.S., flu season typically starts in October and peaks between December and February.
On average, flu season lasts about 13 weeks. It usually ends in April, but in some years, it goes into May.
It is a good idea to get a flu shot before the start of flu season to avoid getting sick with the flu. Even a late flu shot provides protection, especially when a flu season lingers into April or May.
A Look at Past Flu Seasons
The strain of the flu that circulates can change from year to year. The flu vaccine is adjusted to try to predict which strain will predominate during the coming flu season.
Here is a look at the flu seasons over the last 10 years.
The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months old gets a yearly flu vaccine. Try to get your flu shot as soon as it becomes available—by the end of October, if possible.
It takes about two weeks after getting vaccinated for your body to produce the antibodies that will protect you during flu season. If you missed the earlier vaccination time, it is still valuable to get the vaccine—even in January or later.
Different flu strains are found in different animals. Some of these viruses can’t be spread from animals to humans. Others, like “swine flu,” did make the jump from animals (pigs) to humans.
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