It’s that time again to get your yearly flu vaccination – an important reminder for both adults and children!
The flu season starts in November and peaks in January or February. It takes about two weeks for the body to build up immunity after receiving the shot, so getting your flu vaccine before the spread starts can help prevent a serious illness.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
The flu vaccine is recommended for all individuals over six months old and is especially critical for:
- Patients 65 or older
- Those with chronic medical conditions
- Those who are pregnant
"Although vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing illness, they can significantly decrease the risk of adverse reactions or complications from the illness and decrease the risk of hospitalization," notes SSM Health Cardinal Glennon pediatrician Dr. Zacharoula Oikonomopoulou.
View updated CDC 2025-2026 guidelines for flu vaccines.
SSM Health Medical Group St. Louis: 2025 Public Drive Thru Influenza Vaccine Clinics
Every Saturday, 9/27/2025 - 10/25/2025 | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Appointments are not required but encouraged. Call 314-955-9600 to make an appointment.
- South County: 5252 S Lindbergh Blvd Saint Louis, MO 63126
- North County: 3878 Pershall Road Ferguson, MO 63135
- Richmond Heights: 1035 Bellevue Ave Saint Louis, MO 63117 (garage off Ethel & Bellevue)
- St. Charles: 301 Caledonia Parkway O’Fallon, MO 63368
Flu vaccinations are also available during any scheduled appointment. If you do not have a scheduled appointment, you can schedule a vaccine-only appointment using MyChart.
Symptoms of cold vs. flu
Feeling yucky, but confused about your symptoms?
A cold develops slower with milder symptoms including minor cough, runny nose, and a mild- to moderate-grade fever.
Influenza (flu) presents with a sudden onset of a higher fever, body aches, headache, and nasal congestion.
While some symptoms are similar, the flu is much more severe. Be sure to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, wash your hands frequently, and use pain relievers for body aches and headaches.
See an overview of signs and symptoms below:
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
| Symptom onset | Gradual | Abrupt |
| Fever | Rare | Usual |
| Aches | Slight | Usual |
| Chills | Uncommon | Fairly Common |
| Fatigue, weakness | Sometimes | Usual |
| Sneezing | Common | Sometimes |
| Chest discomfort, cough | Mild to moderate | Common |
| Stuffy nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Headache | Rare | Common |
Source: CDC
About SSM Health:
Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential. With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials, and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company, and an accountable care organization. As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 13,900+ providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” Like our founding sisters, we care deeply for our communities -- SSM Health reported $470 million in community benefit in 2023, including the provision of more than $346 million in uncompensated care. For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
