CDC: Get your flu shot “now.”

The flu season has just begun, but health officials are encouraging people to get their flu shots as early as possible to mitigate the number of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths that occur each year.

While flu season typically peaks around February and lasts through May, cases can begin popping up as early as late September.

Some of the major drugstore chains, including CVS and Walgreens, were encouraging people to get flu shots as early as August, when this year’s vaccine first became readily available.

But people who got their flu shots more than a month ago should consider getting a booster shot before the peak of the season to make sure they’re protected, said Kindy Ghussin, a pharmacist and owner of Heartland Pharmacy in Kettering.