Flu Resources

Flu season starts in fall and lasts until March or April. It takes about two weeks after vaccination to be fully protected, so you should get a flu shot before the flu begins spreading — ideally by the end of October. You can still get vaccinated later, even into winter.

Your safety is our priority. Sutter is implementing safety protocols at all flu shot locations, including contactless check-ins, universal masking and screening.

Sutter Walk-In Care offers the flu shot for $22, if you're paying out of pocket. It's always a good idea to check with your health plan to determine the specific details of your coverage.

Appointments are required for Sutter Flu Shot Clinics. Patients can book visits online or over the phone. Sutter Walk-In Care accepts both walk-ins and booked visits.

Flu shots are available at Sutter Walk-In Care, Sutter Flu Shot Clinics and at your doctor's office.

Every year the influenza virus changes, making it different from the previous year. Getting a flu shot every year may not completely prevent the disease, but it can lessen its effects and minimize your chances of getting seriously ill and being hospitalized. Your immunity from a flu shot also diminishes over time, so a flu shot every year will help keep you protected.

Seasonal flu shots are available beginning in mid-September.

You can’t get the flu from the flu shot. The viruses inside the vaccine are dead and can’t infect you.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination to be fully protected. You should get a flu shot before the flu begins spreading — ideally by the end of October. You can still get vaccinated later, even into winter.

The most common flu shot side effects are redness, swelling and soreness at the injection site. This occurs in only 15 to 20 percent of people who get the shot and are usually mild. Fever, chills and muscle pain occur in less than one percent (1 in 100) of people receiving a flu shot. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more answers about flu vaccine safety.

While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading. In this context, getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.

Yes. It is possible to have the flu (as well as other respiratory illnesses) and COVID-19 at the same time.

Getting a flu vaccine won’t protect against COVID-19. However, the flu vaccination has many other important benefits. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to help conserve potentially scarce healthcare resources.

Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2). The flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.

Consult your doctor to find out if you’re eligible to receive the flu mist.