SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As fall approaches, it’s time to start preparing for the start of flu season as well.

Influenza can spread any time of year, but typically increases in fall and winter in the U.S., according to the California Department of Public Health.

And COVID-19 cases — as well as the new variant — are once again on the rise in California as summer comes to an end, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Here’s what you need to know about the respiratory illnesses and how you can protect yourself and others as flu season approaches:

What to know about the flu

Influenza can spread easily from person to person, and “can be a serious illness” depending on an individual’s age and immune system, health officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “estimates that flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths each year in the United States,” the state health department said on its website.

Getting vaccinated is “the best way to protect yourself and your family against flu,” and anyone older than 6 months old should get a flu shot each year, officials said.

“Vaccines work best when a large portion of the population is immunized,” according to a Sept. 9 WalletHub study obtained by The Sacramento Bee.

California ranks low on overall vaccination rates compared with the rest of the country, coming in at No. 35 out of 50 states and Washington D.C., the study found.

Reasons to get a flu vaccine each year, according to the California Department of Public Health:

•“Flu vaccines help keep you from getting very sick from flu. Flu vaccines lower chances of illness and hospitalization.

•Flu vaccines lower the risk of serious flu complications. Especially among older adults or those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

•Flu vaccines during pregnancy help protect people who are pregnant and their babies from flu complications. This includes early delivery, low birth weight of the baby, and stillbirth.

•Flu vaccines help babies and young children stay healthy. Flu vaccines help protect (loved) ones who are at risk from flu.

•Flu vaccines can be given at the same time as other recommended vaccines, such as COVID-19 and RSV. It is safe, effective, and convenient to get these vaccines at the same time.​”

Vaccinating for influenza also cuts down on your risk of contracting bird flu, officials said. This is especially important for farmworkers, who are most at risk of bird flu.

Where can I get a flu shot?

You can get a flu shot at your doctor’s office, at pharmacies and at flu shot events.

Vaccinations are covered by most health insurance companies, and kids can usually get them at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VCF) Program at their doctor’s office, pharmacies and health clinics that are enrolled in the program.

Californians can also use MyTurn to find clinics and providers that accept walk-ins based on your insurance policy and ability to pay. You can also use it to schedule your flu vaccine.

Pharmacies typically accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal, and some local health departments also offer “low- or no-cost flu vaccines,” the state health department said.

When should I get a flu shot? Can I get a COVID-19 vaccination at the same time?

Flu shots are available now in California as flu season ramps up, state health officials said on social media.

“Flu season is here — and we’re getting ready!” the state health department said on Instagram, along with a video showing the department’s social media manager getting her “quick and easy flu shot at the pharmacy.”

State health officials will add flu data to its respiratory virus dashboard during the fall flu season, and in the mean time the agency recommends everyone over 6 months of age should stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations to protect against severe illness and current variants.

It’s OK to get your flu shot and your COVID-19 vaccination at the same time, The Olympian reported.

It takes about two weeks for your body to develop antibodies after getting your flu shot, and after that immunity lasts for about six months, the outlet reported. So it’s best to get your flu shot in September or October so it’s fully effective by the time flu season gets underway in October.

People at higher risk of serious illness from influenza — including younger kids, seniors, pregnant people and those with health conditions like asthma and lung disease — might need a second flu shot later on in flu season, the outlet reported.

Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is trickier these days “amid federal policy changes and conflicting guidance,” The Kansas City Star reported.

California and a few other states joined forces to streamline guidance and make it easier for those wanting vaccinations to get them. California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii joined the West Coast Health Alliance to provide “evidence-based unified recommendations” regarding immunizations in response to federal policy changes, the state health department said in a Sept. 3 news release.

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