Getting a flu vaccine can protect you this flu season. Every fall, influenza (“the flu”) comes back. Sometimes it is mild; other times it hits hard. Either way, you have a choice: get vaccinated or take your chances. And yes, your choice matters for you, your loved ones, and the people around you.
A quick history—and why it matters
First, a bit of background. Scientists created the first inactivated flu vaccine in the 1940s. The U.S. licensed it for civilians in 1945, and it has been improved many times since then. Because flu viruses change, experts update the vaccine every year to target the strains most likely to spread. This long history gives us decades of learning and strong safety systems today.
How big is the flu problem?
Next, consider the numbers. Since 2010, the CDC estimates that each year the flu causes about 9 million to 41 million illnesses, 100,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations, and roughly 5,000 to 52,000 deaths in the United States. Those numbers swing annually with the severity of the season, but the message stays the same: the flu is not “just a bad cold.”
Moreover, vaccination prevents a lot of harm. Each season, CDC models how many illnesses, doctor visits, hospital stays, and deaths the flu vaccine prevents. Even in tougher seasons, the vaccine cuts risk and reduces how severe illness becomes. In short, it helps—often more than people realize.
Why vaccination is especially important for older adults
As we age, our immune systems respond less strongly. Therefore, adults 65 and older face higher risks from the flu. Fortunately, there are flu vaccines made to give older adults a stronger boost—high-dose, adjuvanted, or recombinant options. ACIP, the CDC’s vaccine advisory group, preferentially recommends one of these for people 65+, because they better protect against severe outcomes. If one of these is not available, any age-appropriate flu vaccine is still okay; whatever you do, just do not skip it.
What about effectiveness?
Because the virus changes, effectiveness varies by year. Even so, CDC studies show the vaccine often reduces the risk of medical visits for flu by meaningful amounts, and it helps prevent hospitalizations and ICU stays. Importantly, even if you still get sick, you tend to have a milder illness if you were vaccinated. That is a big deal when you want to stay out of the hospital.
Quick Facts: Flu Vaccine Benefits
| WHAT IT DOES | WHAT STUDIES SHOW |
| Protects Each Year | In 2024–25, vaccines cut flu doctor visits by up to 60% and hospital stays by up to 78%. |
| Helps Kids & Adults | In 2023–24, vaccines cut children’s flu visits by ~67% and adults’ by ~50%. |
| Saves Lives | A 2021 study showed vaccinated adults were 31% less likely to die if hospitalized with flu. |
| Reduces Severe Cases | Multiple studies show vaccinated patients are less likely to need ICU care. |
| Milder Illness | Even if you get the flu, the vaccine makes symptoms less severe and recovery faster. |
The dollars and cents: flu vs. the flu shot
Now, let’s talk about money. The flu costs the U.S. tens of billions of dollars each year when you add up medical bills, missed work, and lives cut short. A landmark analysis estimated the total annual economic burden at about $87.1 billion (in 2003 dollars), including roughly $10.4 billion in direct medical costs and large losses from missed work and early deaths.
Research shows that the biggest cost of flu is not doctor visits or hospital bills but lost work and productivity. In fact, up to 75% of the total cost comes from missed workdays, people caring for sick family members, and reduced performance on the job.
Vaccination helps reduce these losses. Studies of healthy working adults found that vaccines can create net savings, with about 78% of the money saved coming from better productivity. Workplace vaccination programs have also shown a return of $15–$50 in savings for every worker who gets the flu shot.
Vaccination significantly reduces these productivity losses, meaning healthier workers, fewer disruptions, and economic benefits for individuals, employers, and communities.
Safety: why we can trust the flu vaccine
Understandably, people ask, “Is it safe?” Yes. Here is why. Before approval, vaccines go through careful clinical trials. After approval, several national systems watch safety in real time, including VAERS (an early-warning system), the Vaccine Safety Datalink (large health-system databases that run detailed studies), the CISA network (specialists who tackle complex safety questions), and V-Safe (a smartphone-based tool that lets people quickly report how they feel after vaccination). Together, these systems continuously check for rare problems and guide improvements. Thanks to this layered approach, the United States has one of the strongest vaccine safety monitoring programs in the world.
Vaccine Approval Process
| STAGE | WHAT HAPPENS |
|---|---|
| Preclinical Stage | Scientists test the vaccine in the lab and in animals to see if it triggers an immune response and appears safe before testing in people. |
| Phase 1 (Tens of Volunteers) | Focuses on safety. Researchers check if the vaccine is tolerated and watch for side effects. Early signs of immune response are studied. |
| Phase 2 (Hundreds of Volunteers) | Looks more closely at safety and the best dose. Different age groups may be included to see how the vaccine works for them. |
| Phase 3 (Thousands of Volunteers) | Tests whether the vaccine actually prevents illness. Researchers also keep monitoring safety in a large and diverse group. |
| Review and Approval | The FDA reviews all the trial data. Independent experts often meet publicly to discuss results before a license is granted. |
| Ongoing Safety Monitoring | After approval, systems like VAERS, Vaccine Safety Datalink, and CISA continue to track rare or unexpected side effects. Recommendations can be updated if needed. |
Choice—with real consequences
You absolutely have a choice about the flu vaccine. However, if you skip the shot, you raise your odds of getting sick and spreading flu at work, at school, and at home. You risk missing work to take care of yourself or your kids. If you get vaccinated, you lower your personal risk and you help protect babies, older relatives, people with cancer, and neighbors with asthma or heart disease. Consequently, getting the flu can ripple far beyond you.
Tips to act on…today
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you pick the right vaccine, especially if you are 65+ or have a chronic condition.
- Get vaccinated early in the season, ideally by the end of October; but if you miss that window, getting vaccinated later still helps.
- Keep sick-day habits: stay home when ill, cover coughs, and wash hands. These steps work alongside vaccination, not instead of it.
Bottom line
To sum up, the flu is common, costly, and sometimes deadly. The flu vaccine has a long, proven history; it reduces your risk, protects your family, and supports your community and the economy. Most importantly, it’s safe, and experts watch it closely every year. If you’re unsure, ask your doctor. But please remember: it matters—today and all season long. Get your flu vaccine…it’s worth a shot!
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Flu Vaccine FAQs
1. Why should I get the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine helps protect you from getting sick, lowers your risk of going to the hospital, and helps protect people around you—especially babies, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions.
2. How often do I need the flu shot?
Every year. Because flu viruses change, the vaccine is updated each season to give you the best protection.
3. Can I still get the flu if I get the vaccine?
Yes, but you are less likely to get very sick. If you do get the flu, symptoms are usually milder and you are less likely to end up in the hospital.
4. What are the common side effects?
Most flu vaccine side effects are mild and go away on their own in a few days. They may include:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
- Low-grade fever
- Headache, muscle aches, or fatigue
However, serious side effects are very rare. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
5. Who should get the flu vaccine?
Almost everyone 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine each year. There are special vaccine options for adults 65 and older for stronger protection.
6. Is the flu vaccine safe?
Yes. Flu vaccines have been used for decades and go through strict testing in clinical trials. After approval, the CDC and FDA continuously monitor safety through several national systems.
7. Where can I get a flu vaccine near me?
Flu vaccines are widely available at:
- Doctor’s offices and clinics
- Local pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.)
- Public health departments
- Community health centers
You can also use the CDC’s Vaccine Finder tool: https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/
8. When is the best time to get vaccinated?
The CDC recommends getting your flu shot by the end of October, but getting it later is still better than skipping it. Protection lasts through the season.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “2023–2024 Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Data.” CDC, 23 Feb. 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2023-2024-vaccines-reduce-medical-visits.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Benefits of Flu Vaccination.” CDC, 1 Nov. 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/flu-vaccines-work/benefits/index.html.
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