The team at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently got our flu shots. Have you gotten yours?

The flu season is active October through May and starts to peak in December. Since the flu vaccine takes about two weeks to take effect, get vaccinated now if you haven’t already. And if you have or have had an egg allergy, the flu shot is safe for you too.

The flu can make anyone very ill. But certain groups of people – like people with asthma – are at a greater risk of complications from the flu. Because it’s a respiratory illness it affects the lungs. For people with asthma whose lungs are already inflamed, it can make asthma worse.

“Preventing the spread of flu is important to the AAFA team,” said Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of AAFA. “The flu vaccine can be life-saving for people with asthma. Getting a flu shot protects us, our families, coworkers and especially those of us who have asthma.”

Getting the flu vaccine is the best way you can prevent getting and spreading the flu. Also practice healthy habits, like washing your hands often, staying home if you’re sick and taking an anti-viral medicine if you get the flu or are exposed to it.