Protect Yourself and Your Community This Flu Season
Flu season in the U.S. is expected to be more severe than last year, following trends in Australia and the UK where cases are unusually high. Experts predict 20% more infections this year.
Why immunization matters:
- Older adults are most at risk: 90% of flu-related deaths occur in people 65 or older.
- Prevents serious illness: The flu vaccine reduces severity and lowers the chance of hospitalization by 30–40%.
- Protects your neighbors: In long-term care settings, flu spreads quickly. Immunization helps stop transmission.
Last year, two-thirds of hospitalized flu patients were not vaccinated. Getting your flu shot is one of the best ways to stay healthy and protect those around you.
References
Heidenreich, P. A., Bhatt, A., Nazir, N. T., Schaffner, W., & Orly Vardeny. (2025). 2025 Concise Clinical Guidance: An ACC Expert Consensus Statement on Adult Immunizations as Part of Cardiovascular Care. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 86(21), 2085–2098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.07.003
Pelley, L. (2025, November 13). Is there any point in getting a flu shot that’s mismatched to the virus? Here’s what the science says. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/cbc-explains-flu-shots-influenza-vaccine-2025-9.6976530
Schering, S. (2025, December 16). Health care professionals urge vaccination as flu cases surge worldwide. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/33978/Health-care-professionals-urge-vaccination-as-flu
Soucheray, S. (2025, November 12). Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. CIDRAP. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-vaccines/absent-cdc-and-mismatched-subclade-k-flu-strain-experts-face-upcoming-season