As most people know, flu season traditionally goes from about December to March, with a peak in February.
That’s really just the peak times of flu activity though.
“While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May.”
The Flu Season
Sometimes flu season starts earlier or goes later and technically, you can get the flu during any month of the year.
Has the CDC Decided to Extended Flu Season Indefinitely?
Does that mean it’s true, that flu season has been extended indefinitely?
Surprisingly, local media in Las Vegas did actually run a story this story, with that quote.
And the CDC?
The last Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView Report, from March 21, says that “overall influenza activity decreased since last week, but remains relatively high for this time of year.”
“CDC expects flu activity to remain elevated for a number of weeks.”
Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView Report
So flu season isn’t over yet.
But that hardly means that it is never going to end!
Flu season has peaked and is starting to wind down.
But since you might expect flu activity through April and May, as we see in most years, it isn’t too late to get a flu vaccine.
“Vaccination can still be beneficial as long as flu viruses are circulating. If you have not been vaccinated by Thanksgiving (or the end of November), it can still be protective to get vaccinated in December or later. Flu is unpredictable and seasons can vary. Seasonal flu disease usually peaks between December and March most years, but disease can occur as late as May.”
Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines
That is the standard advice that is given every year. It is never too late to get a flu vaccine if you are unvaccinated and want to get protected while there is still flu activity in your area.
What about the idea of twice a year flu vaccines?
“In adults, studies have not shown a benefit from getting more than one dose of vaccine during the same influenza season, even among elderly persons with weakened immune systems. Except for some children, only one dose of flu vaccine is recommended each season.”
Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines
And yes, there have been fewer flu deaths this year, but that’s compared to one of the worst flu seasons on record!
Compared to this time last year though, there are more pediatric flu deaths in Clark County, Nevada.
It’s a good reminder that flu season isn’t over, although thankfully it won’t go on indefinitely, but still, it’s not too late to get a flu shot and get protected for the rest of this year’s flu season.
More on the Myth that Flu Season has been Extended Indefinitely
- VAXOPEDIA – The 2018-19 Flu Season Update
- VAXOPEDIA – I’m Not Anti-Vaccine, I Just Don’t Believe in Flu Shots
- VAXOPEDIA – Is This Year’s Flu Vaccine Working?
- VAXOPEDIA – Do They Really Just Guess at Which Strain to Put in the Flu Vaccine?
- VAXOPEDIA – Are Flu Deaths Exaggerated?
- VAXOPEDIA – Who Dies from the Flu?
- VAXOPEDIA – Did Dr. Bob Uncover a CDC Plot to Give Adult Flu Shots to Babies
- VAXOPEDIA – What Are the Side Effects of the Flu Vaccine?
- VAXOPEDIA – Can I Get a Second Flu Shot for Extra Protection?
- VAXOPEDIA – Understanding Flu Season
- VAXOPEDIA – Does Getting a Flu Vaccine Increase Your Risk of Spreading the Flu or Getting Others Sick?
- VAXOPEDIA – Does Getting a Flu Vaccine Increase Your Risk of Spreading the Flu or Getting Others Sick?
- VAXOPEDIA – What Makes the Flu So Deadly?
- VAXOPEDIA – Does the flu shot contain a vaginal spermicide?
- VAXOPEDIA – Can Flu Shots Cause the Flu?
- VAXOPEDIA – Why Do Some Folks Wear a Mask During Flu Season?
- VAXOPEDIA – Do They Really Just Guess at Which Strain to Put in the Flu Vaccine?
- VAXOPEDIA – I Refuse to Listen to Bad Advice About Flu Shots, and I Won’t Apologize for It
- South Nevada Health District Influenza Surveillance
- CDC – Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines
- CDC – Flu Activity & Surveillance
- CDC – The Flu Season