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This Flu Season Could Be Bad
Get Your Family Vaccinated!
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After 2 years with mild flu outbreaks, public health experts are warning that this flu season could be earlier and more severe.
The yearly flu vaccine is your best protection against this virus. It’s safe, recommended for nearly everyone ages 6 months and up, and available now at doctors’ offices, pharmacies and other vaccine sites.
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Why THIS Flu Season?
► Australia just had its worst flu outbreak in 5 years. A bad flu season in the Southern Hemisphere tends to forecast a bad one for us. Some U.S. children’s hospitals were treating kids with flu in September this year (a month earlier than the typical start of flu season).
► With COVID-19 waning in many places, we’re not taking as many protective steps. During the pandemic, face masks and social distancing also helped keep flu seasons mild. Without them, flu could spread more easily.
► The flu can be life-threatening. Babies, young children, pregnant women, people over age 65 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness and even death from the flu.
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Thousands of children are hospitalized for severe flu in the U.S. every year. This past flu season, 34 kids died of flu complications. The flu vaccine is proven to reduce flu infection, hospitalizations and death.
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What About COVID-19?
COVID-19 is still circulating with certain symptoms similar to the flu and newer variations that can also cause severe, life-threatening illness for some. If you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, you may still need the latest booster shot.
The current booster is bivalent, meaning it helps protect against the original COVID-19 virus and 2 variants—Omicron BA.4 and BA.5
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 1 updated COVID-19 bivalent booster dose:
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For everyone ages 5 years and older if it has been at least 2 months since your last dose.
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For children ages 6 months–4 years who completed the Moderna primary series, if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose. (In December, 2022, Pfizer updated the 3rd and final shot in its primary series for this age group to be bivalent. A Pfizer booster dose is currently not recommended for children in this age group.)
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If you’re eligible and haven’t gotten the right COVID booster yet, you’re not considered up to date (even if you got the primary vaccines and earlier boosters). Ask your healthcare provider about your family’s vaccine status and whether any of you need the original vaccine or a booster.
COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations change regularly. Get the most up to date info here.
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► The flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster can be given at the same time with mild, if any, side effects (injection site soreness, fatigue, mild flu-like symptoms).
► Public health experts recommend getting both vaccines by the end of October. If you miss that window, getting vaccinated anytime during flu season (October – May) can still provide protection.
► You cannot get the flu or COVID-19 from the vaccines. But it takes 2 weeks after vaccination for your immunity to build up, so it’s wise to get immunized before flu or COVID starts rising in your community.
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This message is not intended to provide individual medical advice about you. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about your health. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you have read in our emails, webpages or other electronic communications.
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