MILWAUKEE -- With summer coming to a close and colder weather on the horizon, experts say now is the time to get your flu shot.
Around 20 percent of Americans get the flu and thousands die from flu-related illnesses each year. UW Health doctors tell WISC-TV that if you're above 6 months old, you should be getting either the vaccine or nasal spray.
New for this year's flu season is a reformulated nasal spray, and it has been recommended by the CDC. It may be an option for pregnant women and people between the ages of 2 and 49.
As far as how bad this flu season could be, not even experts can predict. Doctors say the only predictable thing about the flu is that it's unpredictable. Experts say flu activity usually begins in October and peaks in the winter months.
Despite all of the rumors, UW doctors say that getting your flu shot early on will protect you through the duration of flu season. It takes about two weeks after getting the vaccine for the protective effects to begin.
For more information of flu season, click here.