But if you wait until December, it might be too late for you wherever you live. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the shot to work.

The shot doesn't work perfectly, partly because researchers have to guess how the flu virus will mutate. But even among people in their 60s, it usually prevents the flu in about 60 percent of them. People who are older than 50 -- and especially those 65 or older -- are among those who really need to get a flu shot.

People who have diabetes are especially encouraged to get a flu shot.  We are "at high risk for serious complications from the flu," the CDC says.

I remember how awful it was when I got the flu as a child before 1943 when the first general flu vaccinations programs began. It was even worse than going to school. But after getting my annual flu shot for more than half a century, I haven't had the flu since then.

This year I got my flu shot in early October as I usually do. Until now I've always had a hard time to find when and where to get it. But now Google Flu Trends has two good "flu shot locator" links.

One is the American Lung Association's Flu Clinic Locator. The other is a much more comprehensive one from the CDC. This state-by-state listing is the one that I  bookmarked for next year.

I hope that you still have time to get your flu shot this year.