Flu Season Approaches: Health Officials Urge Early Vaccination

As autumn arrives with its colorful foliage and seasonal festivities, health experts are reminding the public that flu season is also on the horizon.

Dr. Sarah Nosal, President-Elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians, says this year's flu season is expected to be moderate in severity, a welcome change from last year's particularly harsh season that resulted in increased hospitalizations and preventable deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccination for everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions. This season's vaccine is trivalent, offering protection against three strains of the influenza virus.

For the first time, an at-home flu vaccine option is available in 34 states. FluMist, a nasal spray vaccine, has been approved for healthy, non-pregnant individuals between ages 2 and 49.

Health officials stress that early vaccination—before flu season hits full swing in October—provides the best protection against severe illness.

Watch the full report above for more details on flu season expectations, vaccination recommendations, and eligibility requirements for the new at-home option.