Flu is spreading earlier than usual this fall, CDC says; here’s where to get a shot in Santa Clara County before Thanksgiving

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Flu is showing up earlier than usual this fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the federal public health agency.  In its weekly flu report released Nov. 13, the CDC said flu activity “continues to increase in many parts of the country and is higher than typically observed at this time of year.”

What the federal numbers show

• The CDC estimates at least 2.6 million flu illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths so far this season.
• Five children have died of flu this season, including two reported in the latest week.
• Almost all flu viruses tested in the week ending Nov. 7 were influenza A, and about 99% of those typed were the H1N1 strain, which has circulated since 2009.
• CDC forecasters expect flu hospital admissions and emergency-room visits to keep rising nationally through the week ending Nov. 28, which includes Thanksgiving.

What the numbers don’t show

These are surveillance counts and estimates, not results of a study, and the CDC says all of them are preliminary.  The agency says an early start “does not necessarily lead to a higher seasonal peak or greater overall severity,” and it currently rates the season’s severity as low for all age groups.  It also says it is too early to know how well this year’s vaccine matches the viruses spreading.

Getting a shot in Santa Clara County

The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department recommends a flu vaccine every year for everyone 6 months and older, and says flu and COVID shots can be given the same day.  People most at risk of serious illness include adults over 65, young children, pregnant women and people with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, the county says.

The county’s Valley Health Centers give flu and COVID shots by appointment only, booked through MyHealth Online, according to the county’s 2026–27 vaccine schedule.  Adult sites in San Jose include Valley Health Center Downtown (777 E. Santa Clara St.), East Valley (1993 McKee Road) and Moorpark (2400 Moorpark Ave.).  Children 6 months to 18 years who have Medi-Cal or no insurance can get shots at the Lenzen clinic (976 Lenzen Ave.), and those 3 to 18 at the Lundy, Tully and Sunnyvale centers.  All Valley Health Centers are closed Nov. 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.  The schedule notes that insurance may not cover shots at the pharmacy, so check with your health plan.

To find a pharmacy or clinic near you, use the federal Vaccines.gov finder.

What it means

Flu vaccines take about two weeks to build protective antibodies, according to the CDC, so a shot this weekend would be close to full strength by Thanksgiving gatherings, especially around older relatives and babies.  If you get sick and are at high risk, the county says to call your doctor quickly, because antiviral medicine such as Tamiflu may help.  Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you.

Source:  CDC FluView, week ending Nov. 7, 2026 (released Nov. 13), CDC:  Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine, County of Santa Clara Public Health:  Influenza and Santa Clara Valley Healthcare:  Flu & COVID vaccine schedule, checked Nov. 14, 2026.