Answers to Your Questions About the 2024-25 Flu Season
Torrance Memorial Physician Network primary care physician Jennifer Park, MD, answers questions as to what you can expect from this year’s flu season.
What are my vaccination options this flu season?
The specific recommendations for flu vaccines can vary depending on your age and health status. In general, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone aged six months and older should receive an annual flu vaccine. The Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) is the traditional flu shot, suitable for most children and adults. The High-dose flu vaccine and Adjuvanted flu vaccine are recommended for seniors as they provide a stronger immune response.
Why should I get a flu vaccination?
Getting a yearly flu vaccination, especially now, is the best defense currently available to protect against influenza (flu), a serious illness which sickens millions of people each year and can be life-threatening. It’s important to consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations, especially if you have specific health concerns or conditions that may influence your vaccine choice.
How can I protect myself against the flu?
The most important step you can take to protect yourself against the flu is to get a flu shot. According to the CDC, flu season in the U.S. generally picks up in October and peaks between December and February but can last until May. It’s a good idea to get your flu shot before Halloween, if possible.
If you are considered high risk for serious complications of the flu, it is also recommended to continue masking, especially in crowded indoor spaces.
What are recommendations for children regarding this year’s flu vaccination?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the annual influenza vaccination for all children without any underlying medical condition, starting at 6 months of age.
How about recommendations for seniors regarding flu vaccination?
Given the higher risk of severe flu illness and lower protective immune response after vaccination among older adults, substantial research and development have led to the production of new flu vaccines. For the 2023-2024 flu season, there are three flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older. These are Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent flu vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine that potentially provide better immunity in this age group.
Can the flu vaccine be administered at the same time as other vaccines, including RSV and COVID-19 vaccines?
Influenza vaccines can be administered simultaneously with other live and inactivated vaccines (including the available RSV and COVID-19 vaccines).
Should the flu vaccine be deferred if a patient is suspected of having COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19?
Adults and children with acute moderate, or severe illness, including COVID-19, may receive influenza vaccine as soon as their illness has improved. Children with mild illness, including low-grade fever, can still be vaccinated.
When scheduling or confirming appointments for influenza vaccination, patients should be instructed to notify the health care professional’s office or clinic in advance if they currently have or if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19.
What are the benefits of flu vaccination?
It can reduce flu illnesses, visits to the doctor, missed work and school due to flu, as well as make symptoms less severe and reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
What if I am pregnant, should I get the flu vaccination?
Yes, absolutely. Flu vaccination during pregnancy also helps prevent flu during and after pregnancy and helps protect infants from contracting the flu in their first few months of life.
Jennifer Park, MD, is located at in Torrance at 3701 Skypark Drive, Ste. 100. She can be reached at 310-378-2234.
