Last winter’s influenza (flu) season was characterized as a high severity season for all age groups — the first such season since the 2017-18 season.
It was the highest cumulative flu-associated hospitalization rate since the 2010-11 season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There were an estimated 46 million cases of influenza and 590,000 hospitalizations, with 28,000 adult deaths from influenza, according to a CDC report in April. There were 216 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported last season, the highest in history for a non-pandemic season.
The CDC recommended vaccine for the 2025-26 flu season is the same as it was for last year. All injected influenza vaccines will be trivalent (containing three strains): an H1N1 strain, an H3N2 strain, and a B strain to protect against the most common circulating strains.
The CDC is recommending a thimerosal-free (preservative free) formulation of flu vaccine, which is widely available.
Most side effects are mild. You cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine. If you rub the bandage immediately after the vaccination, you spread out the foreign protein in the muscle and reduce painful reactions significantly, according to Senders Pediatrics.
Flu vaccine is strongly recommended during pregnancy, as it has not been associated with greater infant mortality or miscarriage.
This season, FluMist, a nasal flu vaccine spray, will be available for consumers for self-administration by ordering on the FluMist website (flumist.com). It’s a live virus vaccine, approved for ages 2-49, that should not be used in people who have a severe allergy to eggs, have a history of asthma, are immunocompromised, or live with someone who is immunocompromised.
Since there has been inconsistent protection with this vaccine in the past, Senders Pediatrics is not recommending it for routine use this year.
Senders Pediatrics emphasizes that since the flu is already circulating in the community, parents should vaccinate their children and themselves against influenza.
Flu contributes to more lost school and work days, as well as more hospitalizations and deaths, than any other infectious disease in both adults and children.
For more information, visit senderspediatrics.com
7 Ways of Avoiding the Flu
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you’re sick.
3. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Influenza viruses are thought to spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
6. Take steps for cleaner air.
You can improve air quality by bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air or gathering outdoors.
7. Practice good hygiene and other healthy habits.
Cleaning frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, handrails and doorknobs regularly can help prevent the spread of some illnesses. Also, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
Source: U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention
