The flu impacts millions of people across the United States each year. The flu is an incredibly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and possibly even death. Therefore, you and your family should not skip the flu vaccine this year. The United States experienced unusually low flu infection rates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – because people were at home, the flu didn’t have as much opportunity to spread. But now that people have largely returned to “normal” life, it is possible for the flu to rebound to pre-pandemic levels. Australia is experiencing one of its worst flu outbreaks in five years, which may be foreshadowing what the United States can expect in the near future.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that from October 1, 2021, through June 11, 2022, there were 8,000,000-13,000,000 flu illnesses in the United States. Additionally, there were around 5,000-14,000 flu deaths. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones, and to avoid illness, hospitalization, and death. It is also important to note that the flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women, and it can help not only protect them from the flu, but also can protect the baby from influenza for several months after birth. Flu viruses are constantly mutating, so it is critical to get a flu shot every year to stay up to date. Research is conducted every year to understand which viruses will be the most common during the flu season and this will be reflected in the flu shot you receive.
Research supports the safety and effectiveness of flu vaccines, so we should all work to address myths that may be circulating within communities. A common myth is that many people believe that you can get the flu from the flu shot, which is not true. The flu vaccines are made with dead viruses that cannot specifically cause influenza. Instead, people may experience some minor side effects such as soreness, redness and/or swelling in their arm, low-grade fever, and body aches; however, these symptoms will go away within 24-48 hours. Additionally, another myth is that people believe that the flu is not a big deal; however, the flu can cause serious illness for all age groups, especially the elderly, young children, and individuals who have chronic health conditions.
Medical experts are urging Americans to get the flu vaccine this year so that the United States healthcare system does not become overwhelmed as it did during COVID-19. Another way to prevent the health system from becoming overwhelmed is to also get the COVID-19 booster. You can safely get the COVID-19 booster and the flu shot at the same time, and having them together does not change the effectiveness.
The CDC reported that Black and Hispanic populations have higher rates of hospitalization and intensive care unit admission for the flu. They published a new study that suggested that there are disparities in flu hospitalization rates among Black and Hispanic minorities. Non-Hispanic Black children had a 2.2-3.4 times higher likelihood for severe flu-related outcomes, and Hispanic children also had a 1.9-3.0 times higher likelihood for severe-flu related outcomes. The researchers suggested the reason for this is that Hispanics/Latinos typically have jobs with greater public interaction, which increases their risk of getting the flu. Less Hispanics can work from home to avoid exposure. Another CDC study that was published in 2016 reported that people who lived in areas with a high poverty rate were at higher risk of experiencing poor health outcomes. Therefore, getting vaccinated against the flu is especially important for lower income communities.
Now more than ever it is important to get vaccinated against the flu, because this year’s flu season may show a return to the harsh pre-pandemic flu season – since masking and social distancing guidelines have mostly ended across the country. The flu shot can help make illness milder and shorter so that you can get back to your daily routine more quickly. Additionally, the flu vaccine has been shown to prevent hospitalization. Lastly, when you get the flu shot, you not only protect yourself but your loved ones too.
