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Flu season has arrived. Have you received your shot yet- Have your children received their shots yet- If not, what are you waiting for-

"Getting influenza is no fun," said Dr. Peter Liber of Wheaton Pediatrics. "An adult will miss a week of work. A child will miss a week of school."

For those wondering whether or not a flu shot is recommended for them, listen up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has simplified things. Its recommendation: Everyone over 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine. Got that- Everyone.

"This is a nice change because it makes life simple," Liber said. "And it's a good public policy. More people will get vaccinated, and that means we're less likely to have an epidemic."

In the past, the CDC focused its message on the elderly. But last year's flu season -- both H1N1 and seasonal flu -- hit kids hard. Because children are at high risk of developing complications, and because they play a big role in spreading viruses, the CDC is urging parents to have them inoculated.

In an effort to get as many kids inoculated as possible, Wheaton Pediatrics has been offering vaccines to parents, as well.

"We're doing what we can to get the word out," Liber said. "Vaccinating your child is one of the most important things a parent can do. And it makes it more palatable if mom is getting one at the same time."

The vaccine is widely available, and one dose will protect you from seasonal flu and H1N1. So go on, get your shot already. Time's a wasting.

"There are some misconceptions out there," Liber said. "Probably the most common one is that you or your child will get sick from the vaccine. It's not true.

"Another misconception is that it's too early to get the flu shot, because if the flu hits in February, my protection will have worn off. That's also not true. Your immunity will last throughout the flu season. That might have been a concern in past years, but new studies show that it lasts."

The CDC addresses this subject at cdc.gov/flu: Flu vaccination provides protection against the influenza strains contained in the seasonal vaccine for the entire season. Vaccination can begin as soon as vaccine becomes available.

For the needle phobic, there is a nasal form of the vaccine. The nasal form contains a weakened form of live viruses, and is approved for healthy people ages 2-49 (except for pregnant women).

The shot, however, is approved for everyone, including those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.

The only caveat: Those who are allergic to eggs, have had a bad reaction to a flu shot or have developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome after receiving a flu shot should consult their doctor before getting inoculated.