by Molly Ettenger M.D., Chair of Saint Philip’s Health Cabinet

For the 9th year in a row, Saint Philip’s Health Cabinet will offer a flu vaccine (and COVID vaccine) clinic in the Murphey Gallery. This year’s event will be the morning of Sunday, October 12.

Walk-ins will be welcome but you’ll have the opportunity to make an appointment the Sunday before the clinic (October 5). Vaccines (including the high dose flu vaccine for people over age 65) will be provided and administered by a Walgreens pharmacist.

A word of caution
If you see advertisements this month noting that the ’25-’26 flu vaccine is available, be aware that, in most instances, the recommended time of year to receive the flu vaccine is in September and October—not in August. Receiving the vaccine in September or October gives you the best chance of immunity throughout the flu season.

An exception is if you plan to travel to the Southern Hemisphere in August or anywhere in September and October. If that’s the case, you may wish to discuss with your pharmacist or health care provider receiving your flu vaccination earlier.

Another exception to the general rule is if Health Department data suggests an early onset of the flu season. That’s when receiving the flu vaccination earlier than September or October might be warranted.

A general guideline
Regardless of when you receive your flu vaccination and/or a COVID vaccine booster, it’s always a good idea to ask the pharmacist or healthcare provider if that timing is optimal for you. That same discussion is a good opportunity to learn about other respiratory illness vaccines that may be recommended for you (e.g. RSV, pertussis, pneumococcus).