Early flu wave emerging

Emily Martin, professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, says national clinical surveillance data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows an uptick of flu cases in recent weeks.

“We might be seeing an early flu wave this year.”

Flu activity sticking around

While some flu appears when college students return to campus and kids go back to school, Martin notes flu activity in recent weeks seems to be persisting longer than usual.

“However, we've been seeing some flu activity in the last few weeks that seems to be sticking around.”

October is ideal timing

The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective. October is generally ideal because it offers protection from early waves and continued coverage through January and February when flu cases typically peak.

Vaccine effectiveness wanes over time

Getting vaccinated in June or July means protection could be weaker by February. However, the flu shot whenever you get it is more effective than not getting one at all.

“The flu shot's effectiveness does wane over time, so if you get it in June or July, it could be weaker by the time you get to February.”

New mRNA flu vaccine available

For the first time, a flu shot using mRNA technology is available this year. In a study published in May two thousand twenty-six, the mRNA-based flu shot produced by Moderna and called mFlusiva was up to twenty-seven percent more effective than four currently available flu shots.

Vaccination rates declining sharply

Flu vaccination among children fell from sixty-three percent in the two thousand nineteen to two thousand twenty flu season to fifty percent in two thousand twenty-four to two thousand twenty-five, a drop of thirteen percentage points. About three hundred children died in two thousand twenty-four to two thousand twenty-five from flu complications.

Official guidance unchanged despite pressure

The Trump Administration has attempted to weaken flu vaccine recommendations, but the CDC continues to urge everyone aged six months and older to get the flu vaccine, a recommendation affirmed by the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics.

Doctors urge parents to consult clinicians

Dr. Ashlesha Kaushik, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist and American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson, says vaccines are scientific tools with no change in evidence supporting recent announcements. She encourages parents to ask their clinicians questions and notes the flu vaccine reduces the risk of dying from flu by eighty percent for children.

“Vaccines shouldn't be a political discussion. They are scientific tools that have done a great job at preventing infections and deaths.”