The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu activity remains low nationally; however, doctors say flu shots are readily available and people should take advantage of them now.

According to infectious disease experts, even if you got a shot last year, different strains of the virus circulate all the time.

Vaccine manufacturers try to anticipate which strains could be more prevalent based on the winter months in other parts of the world. Peak flu season usually hits between December and February, the CDC says.

Getting a flu shot is also more convenient than people may think. A recent report from the Global Healthy Living Foundation and IQVIA, an IT company that specializes in health information technology and clinical research, found that approximately 60% of vaccinations took place at pharmacies during the 2023-24 flu season. That's a nearly 12% increase from the 2020-21 season.