Flu shot scheduling: When is the best time to get the vaccine?

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marty Makary weighs in on the rise in flu cases and on taking the flu shot with 'Fox News Live' co-host Arthel Neville. With flu season right around the corner, when is the right time to get the influenza vaccine? For most people who only need one dose of the flu shot, September and October are generally the best times to get vaccinated, according to the U.

S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s website. The agency noted that "ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October.

" FLU SHOT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CDC: ‘VACCINATION SHOULD CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON’ Other groups, including those over 65 years old and pregnant women, should not get vaccinated earlier than September, as protection may decrease over time, the agency said. September and October are generally the best times to get vaccinated against the flu, the CDC suggests. (iStock) "However, early vaccination can be considered for any person who is unable to return at a later time to be vaccinated," the CDC stated.

"It takes about two weeks after the vaccine for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu." Among children , some will need two doses of the vaccine, the agency said. Those include children 6 months to 8 years old who are getting the shot for the first time, those who have not received a total of two or more flu shots in their lifetime, or those whose influenza vaccination history is unknown.

Early vaccinati.