It’s that time of year again—flu season is just around the corner. Though U.S. flu activity typically peaks in January or February, it can arrive as early as October. And that means you should already be thinking about your flu shot.

Unfortunately there’s no way to predict whether this flu season will mirror last year’s mild, late-starting season. So the best thing you can do is go ahead and protect yourself and your family now by getting a flu vaccine—the first and most important step in flu prevention and protection.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older, preferably before flu season starts.

The sooner you get vaccinated, the better. Why? After you get the vaccine, it takes about two weeks for it to provide protection. So if you wait until peak flu season, your risks for exposure are higher, and the vaccine won’t provide an immediate impact.

More flu vaccine is planned to be available this year than last, and shipments are already underway. In 2011-12, 132.8 million doses were distributed. This year, between 146 million and 149 million doses will be produced.

To learn more about the flu and the flu vaccine, contact your physician or visit the CDC’s flu website.