Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization or death. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza is to get vaccinated every flu season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. A 2022 study shows flu vaccination reduces children’s risk of severe, life-threatening influenza by 75 percent. A 2021 study showed that among adults hospitalized with flu, vaccinated patients had a 26 percent lower risk of intensive care unit admission and a 31 percent lower risk of death from flu compared with those who were unvaccinated.
The CDC continues to stress the importance of vaccination to protect against severe outcomes of COVID-19 and flu, including hospitalization and death. In 2023, more than 916,300 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19 and more than 75,500 people died from COVID-19. During the 2023-2024 flu season, more than 44,900 people are estimated to have died from flu complications.
This year the CDC recommends the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines and the updated 2024-2025 flu vaccines to protect against severe COVID-19 and flu this fall and winter. Physicians at Atrium Health Navicent recommend getting a flu shot as soon as possible, ideally before the end of October. Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.
“The fall season not only brings cooler temperatures, but higher numbers of patients suffering from the flu, COVID-19 and the respiratory syncytial virus known as RSV,” said Dr. Timothy Griffin, who provides care at Atrium Health Navicent Primary Care North Macon. “Fortunately, we have vaccines to help limit the spread of these diseases and reduce the risk for severe infection, not only for those getting vaccinated, but for their loved ones as well.”
In addition to protecting yourself against the flu virus, getting a flu vaccine helps protect people around you who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications. If you have questions about vaccination, talk with your primary care provider.
Key reasons to get the flu vaccine
Flu vaccination prevents illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations and deaths.
Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions. Flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of some cardiac events among people with heart disease.
Vaccinating pregnant women helps protect them from flu illness and hospitalization, and has been shown to help protect babies from flu infection for several months after birth, before babies can be vaccinated.
Flu vaccination can be life-saving in children. A 2020 study found that during the 2018-2019 flu season, flu vaccination reduced flu-related hospitalization by 41% and flu-related emergency department visits by half among children.
While some people who get vaccinated still get sick, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce the severity of the illness.
To schedule an appointment with a primary care physician, visit navicenthealth.org/online-scheduling. To find a doctor, visit www.NavicentHealth.org and click “Find A Doctor.”