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An Early Flu Season Is Underway. Here’s What Older Adults Need to Know
Cases are climbing in many areas of the country, but experts say it’s not too late to protect yourself from getting sick
4-minute read
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Key takeaways
- Flu cases are rising earlier than usual in many parts of the country, but an early start does not necessarily mean a more severe season.
- Vaccination is especially important for adults 65 and older, who face a higher risk of severe illness and death from the flu.
- Experts recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible and quickly seeking antiviral medication after a positive flu test.
Flu season is off to an early start this year, with cases rising in many areas of the country. So far, there have been at least 1.7 million illnesses, 25,000 hospitalizations and 1,400 deaths from the flu, according to Nov. 6 estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And health officials expect those numbers to grow as we head into winter.
“This is early but not unheard of for influenza,” which typically starts to pick up in December, said Andrew Pekosz, a professor and vice chair of the W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and codirector of the Johns Hopkins Center of Excellence in Influenza Research and Response, in a news briefing.
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An earlier start doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll have a more severe flu season. It does, however, mean that people should get the flu shot before the virus spreads more widely, Pekosz said.
Experts stress the importance of vaccination
The vaccine is reformulated each year to keep pace with the changing virus, and it’s too early to know how well this year’s shot matches the currently circulating strain, says Dr. Rebecca Wurtz, an infectious disease physician and professor in the Division of Health Policy & Management at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. But Wurtz adds, “As far as I know, the antigens that are out there in the flu that’s circulating are a decent match for this year’s vaccine.” She doesn’t expect to see a mismatch between the vaccine and circulating virus.
The flu vaccine is especially important for older adults, who are at higher risk of severe illness if they come down with the flu. The CDC estimates that between 70 and 85 percent of flu-related deaths occur in people 65 and older.
But fewer people — including older adults — are getting the annual shot. Vaccination rates have dipped across all age groups since the start of the pandemic, federal data shows, and experts say that could affect the severity of the flu season.
“Unfortunately, when fewer people get vaccinated, influenza can spread more easily, resulting in more infections and potentially serious consequences for people’s health,” said Dr. Anna Durbin, a professor in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research, in a news briefing.
If you have questions or concerns about the vaccine, talk to your health care provider. “A conversation can go a long way,” Durbin said.
Special vaccine options for older adults
A high-dose version of the vaccine is recommended for people 65 and older to help boost immune response. There’s also a new mRNA flu vaccine this year, approved for adults 50 and older.
And even though flu season is already underway, know that “it’s never too late to get your flu shot,” Wurtz says. “Ideally, [get it] sooner rather than later. But if, for some reason, you fail to get it and it’s Christmas, it’s time to get it [then].”
Wurtz also advises getting the COVID-19 vaccine when you go in for your flu shot. Not only will it help to lessen the severity of illness if you catch COVID, but “being up to date on your COVID vaccine has been shown to make it less likely that you’ll get long COVID,” she says.
Another tip that can help keep you healthy this winter: “Be proactive,” Pekosz said. “Keep some at-home tests available [for flu and COVID], and if you test positive for one of these viruses, contact your pharmacy to make sure you can get the appropriate antiviral medication and begin taking it as soon as possible.”
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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