It’s Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Vaccine

It’s Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Vaccine.

As of early February 2025, the Connecticut Department of Public Health reported 1,935 flu-related hospitalizations and 34 deaths statewide, reflecting a significant burden as the flu season reached its peak. Also, the 2024-2025 National flu data highlights greater number of pediatric deaths in the United States since the 2009-10 pandemic, with a total of 280 deaths as of September 13, 2025 (CT DPH. 2025)-Read more at: https://portal.ct.gov/dph/infectious-diseases/rvd/respiratory-viral-disease-surveillance?language=en_US. This number exceeds the previous record for a non-pandemic season, which was 207 deaths in the 2023-2024 season.

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is observed from December 1-6, to remind everyone that annual influenza vaccination is a critical step toward protecting your health this winter. Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and over.

Getting a flu shot is the most effective and safest way of reducing your risk of contracting or experiencing flu-related health complications.

MYTHS about the Flu Vaccine

Flu vaccines can cause flu.

Flu vaccines do not cause flu. Typically, the flu vaccine can take 2 weeks to become effective. During those 2 weeks, it is still possible for a vaccinated individual to get flu or another respiratory virus. After you receive a flu vaccine, you may experience soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or a low-grade fever for a day or two.

Is it better to get sick with the flu than to get the vaccine?

No. Flu can be a serious disease, particularly among young children, older adults, and people with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes. Any flu infection can carry a risk of serious complications, including hospitalization or death, even among otherwise healthy individuals. Therefore, getting vaccinated is a safer choice than risking illness to obtain immune protection.

Know the Difference between Flu, COVID-19, and RSV

Flu is a Vaccine Preventable Virus

Resources to Consider

Connecticut Department of Public Health Respiratory Viral Disease Surveillance

• https://portal.ct.gov/dph/infectious-diseases/rvd/respiratory-viral-disease-surveillance?language=en_US

Some things to remember about FLU, COVID-19 & RSV SEASON FALL 2025 - SPRING 2026

• https://portal.ct.gov/dph/-/media/departments-and-agencies/dph/dph/communications/rv-season-guidance-2025-2026-for-public.pdf?rev=26c7b47c90124481842344537b0ec579

Click the links to find out where you can get your shot and protect yourself and your family this season:

• https://www.vaccinefinder.org/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Flu

• https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccine-safety/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinesafety.htm
• https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm

Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines:

• https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevention/misconceptions.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/misconceptions.htm
• https://publichealthcollaborative.org/misinformation-alerts/

Connecticut residents can now access their children's immunization records, including their own COVID-19 vaccines, through a DPH public portal account. The public portal allows you to track and access your family's immunization records, including the COVID-19 Vaccine in the CT immunization information system. Public portal application link: CT WiZ Public Portal