Every year, CDC estimates the burden of influenza in the US. It uses modeling to estimate the number of deaths, hospitalizations, medical visits, and flu illnesses related to the flu that occurs in the given season.

As per CDC, millions of Americans get the flu every year. You can get the flu any time of the year, but it is more common during the flu season. While the effects of flu vary, it places a substantial burden on people’s health in the US every year.

CDC estimates that flu has resulted in 9 million – 41 million illnesses, 140,000 – 710,000, and about 12,000-52,000 deaths between 2010 and 2020 annually.

Is flu common at this time of year?

Even though the exact dates for the flu season in the US are not fixed and change each year, the flu season typically starts during the fall when the temperatures begin to fall and end when the temperatures rise during spring. It means that the typical flu season in the US runs from October to April. It may also be true for other countries like Europe and Canada.

Flu season in other countries may occur at different times of the year. For example, in countries in the Southern Hemisphere, like, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, the flu season runs in the winter months: April through October (opposite the US).

Common flu months

You can get the flu at any time of the year. However, flu activity usually picks from October. Cases usually peak by November and remain high throughout February. Flu activity begins to decline by March. It means that flu season for 2021-2022 has already begun. You can expect the cases to rise. Get yourself ready and download drug discount cards, at least, for OTC flu medicines.

People at risk of flu in 2021

Since there was less flu activity last year, most people won’t have the boost of natural immunity. Also, those who did not get a flu shot last flu season, need to depend on the immunity developed two or more flu seasons ago.

As we are aware, older individuals (65 years and above) and children will be especially vulnerable to flu viruses in 2012-2022. The reason for older adults is because they have a weak immune system. While in the case of children, they may not have been exposed to the flu viruses before.

When to get the flu shot?

You need to plan to get a vaccine shot before flu activity rises in your community. Given the flu season starts in October in the US, flu vaccination before the end of October. It takes about 2 weeks to build immunity after you get the flu shot.

Get the flu shot this year

Vaccination is helpful to prevent you from getting sick with the flu. It also helps to reduce the risk of serious flu complications and illnesses like death, hospitalization, and pneumonia. Getting vaccinated for the flu helps to protect yourself and the people around you.

CDC recommends that it is vital to get the flu vaccine every year. The flu shot is recommended for everyone aged 6 months or older, including pregnant women. The flu vaccines are available as nasal spray or flu shot. In the 2021-2022 flu season, the flu vaccines will be quadrivalent. It means that the vaccines will help protect against four flu viruses.

Conclusion

With the season of flu getting started, you need to get vaccinated with both Covid-19 and flu vaccines. You can get both vaccines at the same time. But again, the flu season is expected to occur even as Covid-19 continues, so you must get a flu shot and get vaccinated with a Covid-19 vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones.

If you like, you can get a discount on prescriptions on flu vaccines through Wise RX discount cards.