The Partial Observer by Dr. Jerome Adams

Former U.S. Surgeon General: Your Best Shot at a Healthy Flu Season

Winter is upon us, and for many Americans that means company parties, get-togethers with friends and, of course, gathering with extended family.

These festivities are joyous. But they also inherently expose us to infectious seasonal illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and COVID-19.

As vaccination rates decline nationally, that risk is greater this year than any in recent memory. That's why, now more than ever, Americans must make informed choices to keep themselves and their families healthy.

For decades, annual vaccines have been our first and best line of defense. They are stunningly effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that during the 2023-2024 flu season, vaccines prevented nearly 5 million medical visits and almost 10 million cases of illness. And even though vaccinated people sometimes still contract the disease, flu vaccines lessen the risk of severe illness and potentially life-threatening complications.