Flu vaccinations help prevent hospitalization and death

If you have already received your annual flu shot, or if you’ve firmly made up your mind not to have one, you needn’t read further. I hope you have a nice day.

But, if you’re procrastinating, or on the fence about getting vaccinated, I have some information for you. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases has designated Dec. 1 to 5 as National Influenza Vaccination Week to raise awareness about the importance of getting a flu shot.

“Even when flu vaccination does not prevent infection completely, it can help protect against serious flu-related complications, including hospitalization and death,” their website says.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2024-25 flu season had the highest influenza-associated hospitalization rate since the 2010-11 season. For all age groups, flu hospitalization rates were 1.8 to 2.8 times higher than median historical rates. Of those hospitalized, 17 percent were admitted to an intensive care unit, 6 percent received assistance from a mechanical ventilator and three percent died while in hospital.

NFID urges everyone six months of age and older to get an annual influenza vaccine. The best time to get your shot is in the fall, before influenza viruses start spreading in the community, however getting vaccinated at any time is beneficial. Flu season lasts from now until May with peak months being December, January, and February.

“Flu vaccines are updated each year to protect against the influenza viruses expected to spread during the upcoming season. All vaccines for the use in the U.S. are trivalent (three component) vaccines for the 2025-26 season. For more than fifty years, hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. have safely received season flu vaccines,” NFID says.

The American Medical Association says, “With the rise in conflicting information about vaccines, we encourage you to talk to your doctor to help make informed decisions about your family's health. Don’t rely on social media – get answers from someone you trust.”

Research shows that fewer than half Americans, children or adults, get an annual flu vaccine. In the 2024-25 season 27,000 Americans died including 266 children.

Kristina Bryant, MD, professor of pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville School of Medicine said in an article published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, “We need to do a better job of communicating to parents that influenza is not just another cold. It can be a serious, life-threatening viral illness, but we have a safe and effective vaccine that can protect children from the most severe consequences of flu.”

Bryant said that an FDA approved nasal spray that is available for use at home, will hopefully increase the number of families who opt for vaccination. It’s approved for people ages two to 49, but not for those who are pregnant. Go to FluMist.com for more information.

One of the most common misconceptions is that you can get the flu from a flu shot. If this supposedly happened to someone you know, they were exposed to the flu prior to getting the vaccine. You don’t get the flu from a flu shot.

However, there are some common side effects. You may feel sluggish, achy and run a low-grade fever the next day. This just means that the vaccine is doing what it’s supposed to do which is to build up antibodies. On the other hand, don’t worry if you feel fine. The vaccine is working its magic and will be effective in two weeks.

Odds are good that you’ll suffer some muscle soreness in the arm receiving the shot. That’s because a needle is injected directly into the muscle causing microscopic damage to the cells. If the pain is intense or doesn’t go away in a couple of days, call your primary care provider.

You might also experience some redness or swelling at the injection site. Again, it’s typical and should go away on its own. Some experts recommend avoiding activities involving your shoulder for a few days. Others say to keep using it. Do whatever works for you. It’s always an option to take an over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen.

All these discomforts are well worth the price of not getting the flu, getting a milder version of the flu if you do get it, and… well, living. Don’t you think?

Kathy Hubbard was a charter member of Bonner General Health Foundation. She can be reached at [email protected].