While many forecasts predict a somewhat moderate influenza season this coming winter, health officials continue to recommend that everyone eligible get vaccinated against the flu. This is applicable to particular people who are more vulnerable to developing more serious illnesses from the flu virus, including older adults, children, and people with compromised immune systems.
Federal agencies’ flu vaccine recommendations are consistent with last year’s guidelines and differ from the recently changed recommendations concerning COVID-19 vaccinations. Experts note that the flu can cause serious complications, even among healthy people, so the illness should not be taken lightly.
Preliminary data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that between 47 million and 82 million influenza illnesses occurred in the United States during the 2024–2025 flu season. There were an estimated 610,000 to 1.3 million hospitalisations and between 27,000 and 130,000 deaths associated with the flu. In addition, Australia has been recording a strong flu season.
In July, Australian officials said this year’s flu season was shaping up to be their country’s second-worst in a decade. Flu cases in the Southern Hemisphere, where July and August are considered winter months, often give a glimpse into what the flu season will be like in the Northern Hemisphere during the fall and winter.
In the United States, flu season usually begins in October and lasts through March, with the peak period being between December and February. The CDC released a report in August stating that the upcoming fall and winter respiratory virus season will likely have a similar number of hospitalisations as last year.
However, those estimates include projected cases of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza. CDC officials recommend that nearly everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccination this fall. The only exceptions are infants under 6 months of age and people with serious, life-threatening allergies to ingredients in the flu vaccine. Flu shots are generally available at pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and medical facilities, among other places.
Benefits of the flu vaccine:
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious viral infection that attacks a person’s respiratory system. Influenza viruses that are contagious to people are divided into three main groups: A, B, and C. Type A influenza is considered to be the most serious risk.
Common symptoms of the flu include:
- coughing
- runny or stuffy nose
- sneezing
- sore throat
- fever
- headache
- fatigue
- chills
- body aches
- In addition to vaccinations, experts say there are ways to lower your risk of contracting and spreading the flu. They include:
- regular hand washing
- avoiding large crowds during peak flu season
- Covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze
- Experts say influenza has the potential to be a serious illness for anyone who contracts it.
