CHICAGO , Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With flu season on the horizon, the American Lung Association is reminding the public of the importance of getting an annual flu vaccination to protect against severe illness . Influenza, a highly contagious respiratory illness, affects millions of people in the U.
S. each year, leading to significant health risks, particularly for those at higher risk of severe complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , the 2023-2024 flu season saw between 35 and 65 million flu cases, up to 830,000 hospitalizations, and as many as 72,000 deaths.
The flu season typically peaks from December through March, the best time for everyone aged six months and older to receive their flu shot is in September or October before flu starts widely circulating. Vaccination remains the best method to protect against the flu and severe complications, especially for those with chronic conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). "With over 50 years of history and hundreds of millions of flu vaccines administered safely in the U.
S., the flu shot remains a vital tool in our public health arsenal," said Harold Wimmer , President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Annual flu vaccination is essential to help protect against severe flu-related illness and reduce the burden on our healthcare system.
By getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself but also helping to prevent the spread of .