Doctor preps a patient for a flu vaccine

As children prepare to go back to school and the weather shifts to cooler temperatures, vaccines play a crucial role in protecting individual health and the well-being of our communities. 

In June 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended everyone aged 6 months and older receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and flu vaccines to protect against the upcoming COVID and flu seasons.

While COVID-19 and the flu circulate year-round, the fall and winter months typically see a surge in illnesses due to factors like colder weather, increased indoor gatherings, and the spread of germs in school environments.

“Many respiratory illnesses begin in crowded classrooms,” explains Jennifer Veltman, MD, chief of infectious diseases at Loma Linda University Health. "After summer break, when children return to school and are in close contact with each other, they can spread infections to their family members, facilitating the transmission of these illnesses."

By staying up-to-date with vaccinations, children and adults can help reduce the risk of these illnesses, contributing to a healthier and more resilient community.

COVID-19

In 2023, the CDC reported that more than 900,000 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19, and more than 75,000 people died from the virus. Although the risk of COVID has decreased due to the nation's vaccination efforts and herd immunity, it’s not entirely gone.

“We're not seeing the overwhelming admissions that we did before, but we're certainly still seeing people being hospitalized with severe COVID,” Veltman says.

The coronavirus has been mutating since its inception in 2019, resulting in new variants. The latest COVID-19 booster is better-matched to the currently circulating strains and is more effective at addressing these ongoing mutations.

The coronavirus will keep mutating and presenting ongoing risks to society, making it essential to stay current with vaccinations. This is particularly important for individuals over 65, those who are obese, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, as they are at higher risk for more severe disease.

Flu

The influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious virus that has been around for centuries. During the 2023-2024 flu season, the CDC reported that the flu caused more than 44,900 deaths in the United States.

“People get complacent,” Veltman says regarding resistance to the flu shot. “Some believe they will get the flu from the vaccine, but the potential side effects simply indicate that a person's immune system is responding, which is a positive sign.”

While some people avoid annual flu shots due to fear of side effects, contracting the flu can trigger negative health consequences and could lead to severe medical conditions, Veltman says. 

Recent CDC studies have found a strong link between the flu and an increased risk of acute cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. The research analyzed data from eight flu seasons and found that sudden, serious heart complications were common, affecting 1 in 8 adult patients in the U.S. It also revealed that adults were six times more likely to have a heart attack in the week following a flu diagnosis.

“We don’t think of flu vaccines as heart attack prevention, but adults with heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes should stay on top of their yearly flu vaccines,” Veltman says.

Cold

The common cold can be caused by viruses that inflame the membranes lining the nose and throat. While there is no specific vaccine to protect you from getting a cold, Veltman suggests the following tips to stay healthy.

  • Wear a mask in crowded areas or when you are around people with visible symptoms, such as a runny nose.

  • When possible, conduct activities in well-ventilated areas or outside to reduce your risk of getting a cold.

  • Keep hand sanitizer readily available to maintain clean hands.

  • Pregnant women and elderly individuals should consider getting vaccinated for RSV, a respiratory virus that causes cold symptoms.

To learn more about protecting yourself and your family, visit our flu page at lluh.org/flu and our COVID-19 vaccine and treatment page here.