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Influenza

Protecting Yourself from the Flu: Key Takeaways for the 2024-25 Season

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the flu season typically arrives during the fall and winter, it's crucial to take proactive steps in protecting yourself and your family. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting the influenza vaccine early in the season, ideally by the end of October, is the most important step in protecting oneself from the flu. Erin Pfenninger, clinical and wellness coordinator for Wegmans, emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated, stating that vaccines are available for children, adults, and seniors at all pharmacy locations without a prescription.

Key Takeaways:

  • The flu season typically arrives during the fall and winter, with peak season occurring in December.
  • The CDC recommends getting vaccinated as early as September and by the end of October.
  • There are two types of influenza viruses that cause the flu season every winter in the United States, and all flu vaccines for the 2024-25 season will be trivalent.
  • Trivalent flu vaccines protect against three flu viruses: an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria virus.
  • The flu vaccine can be administered through a shot in the arm or through the nose with a nasal spray.
  • The flu vaccine is available at no cost through most insurance plans but ranges in price from $60 to $116 out-of-pocket.
  • Common symptoms of influenza include fever and chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children).

Statistics:

  • The exact time of the flu season differs each year, but peak season typically occurs in December.
  • The CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October.
  • The 2024-25 flu season will have trivalent flu vaccines, protecting against 3 flu viruses.
  • The flu vaccine can be administered through a shot in the arm or through the nose with a nasal spray.
  • The cost of the flu vaccine ranges from $60 to $116 out-of-pocket.
  • Common symptoms of influenza include:

+ Fever and chills (99% of cases)

+ Cough (93% of cases)

+ Sore throat (83% of cases)

+ Runny or stuffy nose (63% of cases)

+ Muscle or body aches (56% of cases)

+ Headache (54% of cases)

+ Fatigue (50% of cases)

+ Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (24% of cases, more common in children)

Sources:

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Erin Pfenninger, clinical and wellness coordinator for Wegmans
  • Asbury Park Press

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