The Flu Is Officially Here and You Need the Vaccine NOW, Experts Say

No more excuses —if you're among the 60% of Americans without this year's flu shot, don't procrastinate any longer. Confirmed cases are surging across the United States, and doctors everywhere are begging people to get vaccinated.

Outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms are officially above the national baseline, and four states are seeing especially high activity: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia and Oklahoma. The virus is also spreading rapidly in New York City and Puerto Rico. "It definitely looks like flu season is here," CDC epidemiologist Lynnette Brammer told WebMD

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Although experts recommend getting vaccinated in the fall, it's not too late. "While seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, activity usually peaks between December and February and can last through May," pediatrician Anna Baldino wrote on Philly.com. That means you still have plenty of opportunities to become a sniffling, sneezing mess.

As for that rumor about contracting the flu from the shot, have no fear. "The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu because the virus it contains is inactive," Baldino said. And if you got immunized last year: no dice. Only the most recent edition offers optimal protection against not-so-great symptoms like a fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches.