Flu (Seasonal Influenza)
Learn about the flu (seasonal influenza) and how to protect yourself and your family this flu season.
Flu (seasonal influenza) is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus that can cause fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue. In Boston, flu activity is usually highest from October through March. The best protection is getting vaccinated early, though vaccines are available all season.
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year and most people only need one dose. However, some children under 9 years may need two doses. Check with your health care provider to make sure.
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Have questions or want to connect?
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1010 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
Free vaccine clinics in Boston
We are hosting free vaccine clinics throughout Boston. No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome. Staff will ask for your insurance and identification card, but insurance and identification are not required. If you have a health insurance card, please bring it with you.
How to Prevent Flu
It is important to remember that individuals may continue to spread viruses even after they begin feeling better. Taking additional steps, such as wearing a mask in public when experiencing symptoms, helps protect those at greatest risk of severe illness, including adults aged 65 and older, young children under 5, pregnant people, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. The following are flu prevention tips:
- Get vaccinated.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your cough or sneeze.
- Increase indoor ventilation and air circulation. Cracking open a window helps increase airflow.
- Mask if you need (5 days after being sick, if you must leave the house while sick, or if you’re at high risk of severe illness).
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Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
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Get tested by using an at-home rapid test kit or by contacting your health care provider.
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Get treatment and talk to your health care provider right away.
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Stay at home if you have symptoms of any respiratory illness to stop the spread of germs.
For in-depth Massachusetts guidelines, please refer to the MA Department of Public Health's recommendations.
Why Get Vaccinated?
Vaccination offers the best protection against influenza. Influenza appears in Boston every year causing illness in thousands of people. Each year a new flu vaccine protects against the top three to four strains of influenza expected to circulate in the community. Since the strains change each year, staying protected means getting a vaccine every year.
Vaccination not only protects you, but also helps protect those at higher risk for serious illness (such as older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease). Even if you’re not high risk, you can still spread the virus to others who are.
What are the risks of the flu vaccine?
Most people do not have a problem with the vaccine. Side effects may occur after the vaccine and last 1-2 days, but severe reactions are very rare. The following are possible side effects that may occur:
- A sore arm, swelling, and/or redness at the injection site
- Sore, itchy red eyes, cough, or hoarseness
- Fever, aches, headache, fatigue, itching
What should I do in the rare case I have a severe reaction?
Call a health care provider and seek treatment immediately if you have a severe reaction within hours of getting a flu vaccine. Symptoms of a severe reaction include high fever, change in behavior, difficulty breathing, hives, and feeling weak or dizzy.
Common Questions about the Flu Vaccine
Flu Vaccine QuestionsAnyone 6 months of age or older should get a flu vaccine. The vaccine is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications. High risk people include:
- Young children
- Pregnant people
- People who are 65 years and older
- People with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart, and lung disease
Talk to a health care provider about getting your flu vaccine each year and what is best for you.
No, the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. Vaccines use a dead, weakened, or harmless part of a germ to teach your body how to fight it, if you get sick.
A flu vaccine is the only way to protect yourself against all 3–4 strains expected to spread that season. After recovering from flu, you have protection against only that one strain. Talk to a health care provider about vaccination options and what is best for you.
A person will gain immunity against the flu after getting a vaccine or in some cases after they recover from the flu. It is important to remember that the flu can cause very serious illness in some people. The risk from getting a vaccine is much less than the risk of getting sick with the flu.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the flu vaccine to provide full protection. During this time, it’s important to take additional precautions, such as washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cleaning frequently touched surfaces often, and mask if you need.
Symptoms of Flu
Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- General weakness
The onset of these symptoms may be sudden. Contact your health care provider if your symptoms continue or worsen and/or an individual at higher risk for severe illness, including older adults, those with certain underlying health conditions, or people with weakened immune systems.
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Have questions or want to connect?
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1010 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
