Flu Season - Lessons Learned

The flu season is winding down, but this year it hit some of us pretty hard. So, what did we learn this time around?

What we learned is that the flu shot is important, especially for those groups most likely to suffer complications because of the flu.

According to the CDC, although this flu season was what they called "moderately severe" overall it did hit the elderly hard and took its toll on children as well. This flu season started in December, a month earlier than usual. It peaked by the end of the year, but flu cases were still reported throughout the last few months.

Unfortunately, it did kill 105 children so far. That's close to the average number of children killed by the flu each year, 100. But the CDC did find out that 90% of the children who died from the flu this year and were old enough to get the flu shot, didn't.

The flu vaccine, although it doesn't give 100% protection from the flu, still keeps you and your children's chances of dying or getting hospitalized because of the flue as low as possible. So this coming fall, make sure you and your children get the one vaccine that can protect you from the flu bug that's sure to make its yearly visit.