Flu season has arrived, and it can be unpredictable. It can begin as early as fall and can last until spring, with flu activity usually peaking during winter.
Public healthcare professionals, advocates, and communities come together every fall to promote the flu vaccine because the flu can cause serious health complications, such as bacterial infections or pneumonia. If it isn’t treated in time, the flu can even lead to death.
The flu can hit hard and fast, with more severe symptoms usually coming on more suddenly. Symptoms of the flu include:
- A high, sudden fever
- A stuffy nose
- A dry cough
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Extreme fatigue
- Chills and sweats
- Lack of appetite
The flu vaccine can help protect you and your loved ones from potentially dangerous complications. The Food and Drug Administration has approved nine flu vaccines for the 2026-2027 season to help prevent an infection from the flu virus. Each vaccine is trivalent, meaning they were designed to protect against three different strains of influenza, which are the viruses that cause the flu. The three strains are comprised of two influenza A viruses and one influenza B/Victoria virus.
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine can have a lot to do with when you get it, which is why it is recommended to get the flu vaccine about two weeks before flu season begins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most people six years of age or older receive an annual flu vaccine, ideally before the end of October. However, vaccination later in the season can still offer protection.
Each of the nine vaccines is recommended for certain age groups. They include:
- Fluad is recommended for those 65 years of age or older
- Fluarix is recommended for those six months or older
- Flublok is recommended for those nine years of age or older
- Flucelvax is recommended for those six months or older
- FluLaval is recommended for those six months or older
- FluMist is recommended for those two years of age or older
- Fluzone is recommended for those six months or older
- Fluzone High-Dose is recommended for those 65 years of age or older
- MFlusiva is recommended for those 50 years of age or older
It is important to note that the flu vaccine has more benefits than just lowering your risk of getting the flu. They include:
- It lowers the risk of needing to go to a healthcare professional for treatment of the flu
- It reduces the risk of flu-related complications, hospitalizations, and death
- It helps lessen the severity of symptoms if you do get sick with the flu virus
- It helps prevent the flu from spreading to those around you. This is essential if you are regularly around people who have weakened immune systems or people who can’t receive the flu vaccine
- If you are pregnant, it helps protect your fetus during pregnancy and for a few months after birth
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious symptoms of the flu virus. However, there are also several steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting and spreading the flu, including:
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Staying home when you are sick to prevent the spread of the virus to others.
- Covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
- Considering wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, especially if you are around high-risk individuals.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of the flu, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.
FollowAll content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.