US Urges Flu Shots for Everyone 6 Months and Older as Cases Rise in All 50 States
Updated
Updated · Vox.com · Oct 15
US Urges Flu Shots for Everyone 6 Months and Older as Cases Rise in All 50 States
3 articles · Updated · Vox.com · Oct 15
Summary
October 7 data showed flu infections increasing in all 50 states, prompting calls for people 6 months and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible rather than waiting until late October.
Washington state is already seeing flu activity closer to Christmas levels, even though national activity remains low overall, signaling an earlier-than-usual start in western states including California and Nevada.
Doctors still do not know why the season started early; experts cited possible viral mutations that help evade immunity, while early spikes in Japan and other parts of Asia suggest international travel may also be contributing.
Flu shots cut the risk of severe illness by about 40% to 60% and take roughly 2 weeks to reach full effect; antivirals such as Tamiflu work best within 48 hours of symptoms, especially for higher-risk patients.
Last season sent hundreds of thousands of Americans to hospitals and killed tens of thousands, including nearly 200 children, underscoring why an early start does not need to become a severe season.