Question: So based on yesterday’s post, since I got the shot at the end of August when I knew I was going to be running around NY for work, should I get another shot in say February?

Answer: As you know, I’m not a medical doctor, so please consult your physician. Based on what I’ve read, it appears that revaccination is generally not recommended, but is also not actively discouraged (read more below). If you do choose to explore revaccination, it would probably be better to do it in December since influenza season is generally at its peak in January and February, and it takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protective antibodies.

• No revaccination recommendation. First, the chartered Federal Advisory Committee, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), makes yearly recommendations on influenza vaccination. Those recommendations that CDC approves become codified as CDC guidelines that are published yearly in a special Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). This year’s guidelines were published in August and state that “No recommendation is made for revaccination later in the season of persons who have already been fully vaccinated (i.e., providing a booster dose).” I take this to mean that ACIP neither endorses nor discourages revaccination. That’s another solid reason to consult your physician!
• Only one dose is actively recommended for adults. In its immunization FAQ, CDC writes, “Can vaccinating someone twice provide added immunity?: In adults, studies have not shown a benefit from getting more than one dose of vaccine during the same influenza season, even among elderly persons with weakened immune systems. Except for children getting vaccinated for the first time, only one dose of flu vaccine is recommended each season.”