Flu Season Is Coming: What Adults 65+ Need to Know About Vaccination

Flu season can arrive sooner—and spread faster—than many people expect. In this special edition of Late Night Health, host Mark Alyn speaks with Dr. Samantha Picking, Senior Director of Immunizations at Walgreens, about how older adults and other high-risk individuals can prepare for the coming respiratory illness season.Dr. Picking explains why September and October are generally the best months to receive a flu shot, giving the body approximately two weeks to build protection before cases begin to rise. She also addresses one of the most persistent misconceptions about vaccination: the flu shot cannot give you the flu. Mild soreness, aches, or a brief fever may occur after vaccination, but these temporary reactions are different from an influenza infection.The conversation also explores the enhanced flu vaccines recommended for adults 65 and older, how scientists determine which influenza strains to include in each year’s vaccine, and why declining vaccination rates remain a public-health concern. In addition, Dr. Picking discusses other important vaccines—including RSV, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and shingles—and explains that multiple vaccines can safely be administered during the same visit.Listeners will also learn how pharmacists can review their health history, medications, and vaccination records to help identify which immunizations may be appropriate. With many vaccines available at little or no cost through Medicare or private insurance, this timely interview offers practical guidance for staying protected throughout flu season—and reminds listeners that their neighborhood pharmacist can be an accessible, trusted source of information and care. Dr. Picking joins Mark Alyn on this edition of Late Night Health.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/late-night-health-radio--2804369/support.