CDC Director: "With modest flu virus activity since March of 2020, CDC’s flu experts are concerned that reduced population level immunity to the seasonal flu could place us at risk for a potentially severe flu season this year." Wednesday (10/6), Dr. Rochelle Walensky recommended people get the flu vaccine. Last year, there were very few flu cases, largely because of masking and physical distancing and other prevention measures put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic. With modest flu virus activity since March of 2020, CDC’s flu experts are concerned that reduced population-level immunity to the seasonal flu could place us at risk for a potentially severe flu season this year. The symptoms of flu can often be familiar to those – similar to those with COVID-19 which can lead to additional needs for flu and COVID testing and isolation for either of the diseases, especially in schools. And, even as average daily COVID hospitalizations are decreasing, we continue to see many hospitals and intensive care units across the country at full capacity. Each year in the United States, influenza can claim between 12,000 and 52,000 lives and result in 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations, another toll we need to work hard to avoid. Furthermore, an increase in flu infections and flu severity could put an additional burden on our health care system and increase stress on our nation’s health care workers. Please do your part to ensure that everyone is best protected against flu by getting vaccinated. CDC recommends flu vaccination for anyone who is six months or older. And just like with COVID-19, we need as many people as possible to be vaccinated for influenza so that we can provide protection for those who are at most risk.