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Seasonal Influenza

Each season, millions of Americans are sickened with flu, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and tens of thousands die. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. This season we are also battling COVID-19, another virus that can cause severe respiratory illness. There is a vaccine for flu that has been proven to be safe and effective over the past 50 years. Getting a flu vaccine can help you avoid co-infection with COVID-19 and flu.

Since flu viruses are constantly changing and protection from vaccination decreases over time, getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent flu. Flu vaccines are the only vaccines that protect against flu and are proven to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. Your best protection against flu is the flu vaccine.

Flu vaccines are needed every year

Flu viruses are constantly changing, and multiple flu viruses can circulate at the same time during any given flu season. Because of this, flu vaccines are reviewed each year and updated as needed – in fact, two of the components included in this year's vaccine were updated from last year to better match flu viruses that are expected to spread in the U.S. this season.

Getting an annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older and is the best way to help protect against flu. There's still time for you and your loved ones to get vaccinated; get your flu vaccine today. Additional information about the seriousness of flu and the benefits of flu vaccination can be found on the CDC website or call CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Here is what you should know this season, including information on how to protect yourself and your family against flu by getting a flu vaccine:

  • Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially people at high risk.
  • Take actions every day to help stop the spread of germs. Getting a flu vaccination is the most important. Practice these healthy habits to prevent flu.

Benefits of Flu Vaccination

  • Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu.
  • Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization for children, working age adults, and older adults.
  • Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.
  • Flu vaccination helps protect women during and after pregnancy.
  • Flu vaccine can be lifesaving in children.
  • Flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.
  • Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

A Chronic Health Condition Can Increase Your Risk

Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including people with certain chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, in past flu seasons, 9 out of 10 adults hospitalized for flu had at least one underlying medical condition.

People with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and a number of other chronic health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, that can result in hospitalization or even death.

A flu vaccine reduces the risk of getting sick with flu. For people with certain chronic health conditions, a flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of flu-related worsening of chronic conditions and prevent flu-associated hospitalization. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including people with certain chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. A Chronic Health Condition Can Increase Your Risk.

National Influenza Vaccination Week

The holidays are here, and while that means more opportunities for spreading cheer, there is also more opportunity for spreading flu and other respiratory viruses as people resume travel and gather with family and friends. National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 5-11) is an important reminder to check off one thing no one should go through the holiday season without: a flu vaccine.

While it is ideal to get a flu vaccine before flu starts spreading in your community, getting vaccinated later is still beneficial during most seasons. Flu most commonly peaks in February and significant activity can continue into May, so there is still time to get vaccinated if you haven't already. This National Influenza Vaccination Week, go to your doctor or local pharmacy to get your flu vaccine, encourage your loved ones to get their flu vaccine, and learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated against flu.

If you haven't received a flu shot yet, there's still time. People with certain chronic conditions are more likely to develop serious flu complications. Together, we can all #FightFlu. Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting a flu shot.

Resources

CDC Flu resource center
CDC's Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply Frequently Asked Questions