Urgent Flu Shot Reminder: Vaccination Rates Plummet Amid Risks
UPDATE: As flu season approaches, health officials are sounding the alarm over alarming declines in vaccination rates across the United States. With only 54% of adults and 49% of children planning to get their flu shots this year, experts warn that the consequences could be dire.
In a tragic reminder of the flu’s dangers, pediatrician Jeb Teichman is sharing the heartbreaking story of his son, Brent Teichman, who succumbed to flu complications just weeks after neglecting to get vaccinated. “We reminded Brent to get his flu shot, but he never got around to it,” said Teichman, whose advocacy efforts are now aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last year’s flu season resulted in over 27,000 deaths and 610,000 hospitalizations. Despite this, vaccination rates have plummeted since 2020, with many Americans underestimating influenza’s severity.
Health experts, including Dr. Kristina Bryant from the American Academy of Pediatrics, stress the importance of early vaccinations. “Children should receive their flu shots as soon as they are available,” Bryant stated, emphasizing that early immunization is crucial to ensure full protection as flu season peaks around February.
While current flu activity in the U.S. remains low, as indicated by Alexandria Boehm, program director of WastewaterSCAN, the situation can change rapidly. “Once it starts in one state, it spreads everywhere at the same time,” Boehm warned.
Flu vaccines are safe and effective. The CDC reports that the 2023-2024 season saw flu shots preventing 9.8 million illnesses and 120,000 hospitalizations. However, only 32% of hospitalized flu patients had been vaccinated, highlighting a critical gap in protection.
Dr. Amesh Adalja from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security advises adults to get vaccinated by late October to maintain immunity through the flu season. “Even though flu vaccines are not perfect, they significantly reduce the severity of illness,” he explained.
The cost of flu shots can range from $20 to $130 without insurance, but many can receive them for free through programs like Medicare or the Affordable Care Act.
As misinformation spreads on social media, advocates like Jeb Teichman are working tirelessly to remind the public that flu vaccination is essential. With the flu virus still a serious threat, officials urge everyone over the age of six months to get vaccinated.
While many people believe flu shots can lead to severe side effects or complications, experts clarify that the risks are minimal compared to the dangers posed by the flu itself. The CDC reports that the risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome from the vaccine is exceedingly low, occurring in only one to two cases per million doses.
As the flu season looms, health officials and families affected by flu-related tragedies implore everyone to prioritize vaccination. “We need to do everything we can to prevent another loss like ours,” Jeb Teichman said, echoing a sentiment that resonates with many who have suffered due to the virus.
Immediate action is needed to reverse declining vaccination trends. The flu is not just a bad cold; it is a potentially deadly virus that can impact even the young and healthy. With the stakes higher than ever, the time to get flu shots is NOW.
