Flu shot still recommended despite recent vaccine skepticism

By HPN Staff

The United States is entering flu season and September and October are the best times to get vaccinated, medical experts say. But those recommendations come amid vaccine controversy as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) undergo change. 

The flu, also called influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. Symptoms include sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fever, fatigue, aches, cough and —particularly in children — vomiting or diarrhea.

It generally circulates in the United States from October to May.

The CDC advises, “Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions,” and the American Medical Association (AMA) says anyone over the age of 6 months, who is not allergic, should be vaccinated. 

Additionally, medical professionals recommend vaccination even for people who have already been sick this year with a flu-like illness.

Why it matters

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has come under fire for his views toward vaccination, such as the COVID-19 shot and childhood immunizations. 

Last week, the ACIP made changes in its recommendations regarding the MMRV vaccine for children under the age of 4, saying it should be separated into two shots instead of just one.

Kennedy also recently accepted the recommendation by the new ACIP to remove the mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all influenza vaccines distributed in the U.S. The move is unlikely to affect vaccine supply as the ingredient is rarely used in this country.

Critics allege the action indicates the new ACIP endorses anti-vaccination views.

However, the ACIP also renewed standing recommendations on the flu vaccine, and that the updated flu vaccine for the current year should be used.

The bigger picture

The CDC estimates that the flu kills anywhere between 6,300 and 52,000 Americans each year, and hospitalizes between 120,000 and 710,000, based on figures gathered from 2011 to 2024.

At least 9.3 million people get sick with the flu annually, and in some years, that runs higher than 40 million.

The CDC says it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies that will fight the virus to develop in your body.

Effectiveness “typically falls somewhere between 40% and 60%,” AMA reports.

There are several types of flu vaccines, including some that are only approved for adults. But for adults younger than 65, the CDC doesn’t recommend one particular vaccine over others.

For those 65 and up, the CDC recommends three specific vaccines.

Additional details

Multiple efforts are underway to develop a universal flu vaccine, including a federally funded $500 million project through the National Institutes of Health.

“In recent years, scientists have found inner structures in the influenza virus protein coat that are the same in all strains of flu viruses,” Harvard Health said. “Universal vaccines that target those inner structures hold the promise of protecting against different types of influenza virus, eliminating the need for a new shot every year.”

For those getting the COVID-19 vaccine as well, the AMA says it’s fine to get both vaccines at once.