Preparing for Flu Season: What You Need to Know About This Year’s Potential Impact

Doctors and health officials are preparing for another challenging flu season, especially after the tough one we just had. In the U.K., they’ve noticed a quick rise in flu cases among children and young adults. Japan is experiencing a flu epidemic as well, even closing schools due to a spike in cases.

In the U.S., flu typically starts rising in November, peaking around February. However, recent job cuts at the CDC and a federal shutdown could make it difficult for experts to track the virus effectively this fall. The CDC’s latest report shows minimal flu activity as of late September.

Angela Rasmussen, a virologist from the University of Saskatchewan, expressed concern over the limited flu surveillance in the U.S. She highlighted that this might hinder public health responses and vaccination efforts, making coordination difficult.

Last year’s flu season was particularly severe, resulting in about 1.1 million hospitalizations—the highest in 14 years, according to the CDC. It also recorded a staggering number of doctor visits due to flu-like symptoms, with estimates of 38,000 to 99,000 deaths for that season. Tragically, 280 children lost their lives, making it one of the worst years on record for pediatric flu fatalities.

As for this year, predictions from the CDC at the end of August indicated a potentially more moderate season. However, there’s still a risk of severe outbreaks, especially if vaccination rates remain low. According to Dr. George Diaz, an expert in infectious diseases, while the main strains circulating are similar to last year’s—H1N1 and H3N2—there’s uncertainty about how they might behave.

Even people who got the flu last year might not be protected against this year’s strain. Immunity can fade, particularly in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.

Vaccine hesitancy could also play a role in flu spread this season. Last year, fewer than half of children were vaccinated, a significant drop from previous years. Both Rasmussen and Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University emphasize that the dynamics of flu spread will likely be influenced more by social and policy factors than by the virus itself.

October is typically seen as the best time to get vaccinated, ensuring protection throughout the flu season. It’s a simple step to help safeguard against potentially severe outcomes.



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