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The CDC urges people to think about getting their annual shot. Elizabeth Keatinge has more.
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The American surgeon general, Jerome Adams, during an interview in October in his office.(Photo: Josh Mitchell)

WASHINGTON – After the death of 80,000 people in the United States last season, Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams on Thursday urged Americans to get vaccinated this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people 6 months of age and older be vaccinated against influenza. Federal health officials believe it is especially important for people who are vulnerable to complications, such as children, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, and the elderly.

"Last season illustrated what all public health officials know: influenza can be serious in people of all ages," said Adams. "It is essential that we pay national attention to the importance of flu shots to protect as many people as possible each season."

Last year, the number of deaths from influenza in the United States was the highest in four decades, according to the CDC. Americans made about 900,000 visits to the hospital. Cases increased in November and peaked in January and February.

According to the CDC, the last year has been the most severe season since the 2009 pandemic.

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Officials determine the composition of the vaccine each year. Its effectiveness varies.

Last season, the adequacy of the vaccine was only 36%, according to the CDC. Protection rates varied among different strains of influenza.

Vaccination does not guarantee that a person will avoid getting the flu, but research shows that vaccinated people are less likely to suffer serious complications.

A 2017 CDC study found that vaccination halved the number of deaths from influenza in children with high-risk medical conditions and about two-thirds in healthy children.

Last year, one hundred and eighty children died of the flu.

Adults who receive the vaccine are less likely to suffer from complications requiring hospitalization.

Immunization rates among children decreased by 1.1% during the 2017-2018 influenza season. Nearly 58% of children were vaccinated, well below the federal target of 80%.

Immunization coverage declined slightly in children aged six months to four years, an age group likely to suffer from serious illness and to be hospitalized.

The timing and severity of the influenza season varies each year depending on the circulating strains. Some seasons are sweet. The 1918 flu pandemic killed an estimated 675,000 Americans and sickened one-third of the world's population.

There are two versions of the standard vaccine for consumers this year. The "trivalent" vaccine protects against two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B. The quadrivalent protects against two strains of influenza A and two of influenza B.

Another option is a nasal spray for people aged 2 to 49 years. It is not recommended for pregnant women.

The federal health authorities claim that two more potent vaccines are available for adults 65 years and older: a high dose about four times stronger than a conventional vaccine or an injection with an adjuvant that strengthens the immune response.

According to the CDC, these more robust vaccines are more likely to cause side effects, including pain, redness or swelling, headache, muscle aches, and discomfort.

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