Is it too late to get the flu shot?

This year’s flu season has been historically bad. So bad, in fact, that it’s the worst flu season in nearly a decade.  The death count tragically climbs (recently, an otherwise healthy 12-year-old passed away from the flu, along with six other children this week). Frighteningly, we might not have even hit the peak of flu season yet, according to the CDC. Reports are saying that the disease is widespread across all states except Hawaii. And according to Inverse, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the amount of flu-related deaths to be “above the epidemic threshold.” This is the worst flu epidemic to sweep the nation since 2009’s swine flu outbreak.

It might be time to think about getting a flu shot, if you haven’t had one yet. But is it too late to get one?

The CDC is still urging us to get our flu shots. “While our flu vaccines are far from perfect, they are the best way to prevent getting sick from the flu and it is not too late to get one,” they say.

Hear that, folks? If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, now is the time! It is not too late.

With that said, you might be wondering, why is the flu so bad this year, anyway? Well, there are four flu strains, and the one that is the most dominant right now—influenza A—is the most dangerous.

BUT, it’s common for influenza B to strike later in the season, the CDC says.

That means another wave of flu might be hitting us soon, and you’d be smart to protect yourself against it.

While imperfect, the flu vaccine increases our chances of avoiding the flu altogether.

So bottom line? It’s not too late to get your flu shot!