Summer is soon coming to an end, and health officials are planning ahead for flu season. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made its annual flu shot recommendations for health professionals ahead of flu season.
They again underscore the importance of flu shots: Preliminary estimates show that last season, people vaccinated against the flu were about 40% to 70% less likely to be hospitalized because of flu illness or related complications, according to the CDC.
The public agency maintains the effectiveness of flu vaccines depends, in part, on the match between the vaccine viruses and circulating viruses.
Here’s what to know about this year’s recommendations: