Here in Wisconsin, summer and early fall can lull us into complacency. The weather remains mostly pleasant. Chilly days and cold and flu season may feel far off.
Of course, living here, we all know better about what’s to come. The annual flu shot for the 2026-27 season is available, and now is the time to plan to get vaccinated.
“Getting your flu shot is the most important step you can take to avoid becoming seriously ill with influenza in the season ahead,” says Christy Lingnofski, APNP, a nurse practitioner with ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano. “Vaccination is quick, easy and highly effective.”
Flu Shot Key Facts
Before we dive in on more, here are the basics on the annual flu shot:
- Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot every season, with rare exceptions.
- Vaccination is especially important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from flu. Those groups include adults 65 and older, children 5 and younger, pregnant people, and people with chronic or underlying diseases such as diabetes, asthma or cancer.
- For optimal protection, consider getting vaccinated in mid-September, and no later than the end of October. Flu typically peaks between the months of December and February. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu illness.
5 Reasons to Get the Flu Shot
It was hard to narrow the list, but Lingnofski shares five reasons you and your family should get the flu shot.
1. The flu shot is safe and effective.
Viruses in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), so you cannot get flu from a flu shot. Side effects most often are mild and short-lived. They can include soreness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given; headache; fever; muscle aches; nausea; and fatigue.
2. Vaccination protects you as well as your loved ones and community.
When you choose to get vaccinated, the impact extends beyond you alone. For you, vaccination can mean you’ll miss fewer days of work or school — or that holiday gathering. When it comes to others, you’re doing your part to reduce your chances of spreading illness to others. That helps vulnerable members of your family such as infants and older adults, as well as people you encounter in the community.
3. You can reduce your chances of becoming seriously ill.
During the 2024–2025 flu season, estimates show that flu vaccination helped prevent:
- 10 million flu-related illnesses
- 5 million flu-related medical visits
- 180,000 flu-related hospitalizations
- 12,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S.
Flu complications can include:
- Ear and sinus infections
- Pneumonia
- Inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues
- Multi-organ failure
- Sepsis
- Worsening of symptoms related to chronic diseases such as asthma and heart disease
While you can still contract flu even if you’ve been vaccinated, many studies have shown that vaccination reduces the severity and duration of illness in those who do get sick.
4. The flu shot — and other vaccines — can help protect against certain diseases.
In August 2025, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) issued guidance recommending vaccines to protect adults with heart disease against respiratory illness. These include influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other diseases where vaccination is shown to offer cardiovascular protective benefits, according to the group.
The ACC recommends the following vaccines for people with heart disease:
Studies also show getting the flu shot may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
5. Getting the flu shot is easy.
ThedaCare offers several ways to get the flu shot. Get vaccinated through:
- Asking at any office visit at your primary care clinic
- Watching for upcoming flu shot clinics
- Visiting ThedaCare retail pharmacy locations in Appleton, Berlin, Neenah, Oshkosh and Waupaca — available for those 6 and older
- Drive-thru vaccine clinics at ThedaCare Medical Centers-Oshkosh and New London, taking place from 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 10 and 17, respectively
- Logging into MyThedaCare and selecting “schedule an appointment,” “vaccines” to see vaccination availability at locations and times that are convenient for you
Stay Well This Season
“We want everyone to have the best odds of avoiding a bout with the flu this respiratory season,” Lingnofski says. “Getting vaccinated offers a quick and simple step that can reduce the odds you’ll face the misery the flu can bring.”
Finally, remember if you do get sick this season, our teams are here for you. Options include primary care and pediatrics with same-day appointments often available, as well as virtual, urgent and walk-in care.
“Our teams wish everyone a healthy fall and winter,” Lingnofski says.
