As another flu season approaches, health officials are urging Americans to roll up their sleeves. Despite some confusion surrounding vaccines in recent years, doctors say recommendations for the flu shot have not changed.
‘Something people tend to forget about’
Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, says influenza remains a serious public health threat — one that’s often underestimated.
“Flu kills a lot of Americans every single year — sometimes tens of thousands,” Huang said. “It’s something people tend to forget about.”
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How severe is flu season?
Each year, the flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths nationwide. Experts warn that even healthy adults can become severely ill, and children and older adults face the greatest risks.
Experts say the most recent season was one of the deadliest for children in over a decade.
“During the 2024–25 respiratory season, 280 children died from flu-related complications — most of them were not vaccinated,” said Dr. Bob Hopkins with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “That’s the highest number of pediatric flu deaths since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.”
Who should get vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that nearly everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated each year. While some people may skip it, thinking the flu is a mild illness, doctors emphasize that vaccination remains the best protection — not only for yourself, but also for those around you.
“People over 65, and those with weakened immune systems, are more likely to have serious complications from the flu,” said Huang.
Other high-risk groups include pregnant women, young children and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.
The CDC says the vaccine is safe for most people. The only exception: those who have had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to any ingredient in a flu vaccine.
When is flu season?
Flu season typically ramps up in November and peaks during January or February, but can continue as late as May. Health experts say getting vaccinated early provides the strongest protection throughout the season.
Doctors stress that this year’s flu shot is formulated to match the most common circulating strains, and even if you still get sick, vaccination can make symptoms milder and reduce the risk of hospitalization.
