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Did you get your flu shot this year? You might think that having the flu (influenza) just means a bad cold or cough. But the truth is that flu can be serious and could cause unpredictable symptoms. It can disrupt your daily life and even be life-threatening,[1] which is why taking steps to help protect yourself, like getting your annual flu vaccine, is so important.

Anyone can catch the flu. Even if you're healthy, you can still be infected by the virus. Additionally, some people - like older adults and those with certain health conditions like asthma and cardiovascular disease - are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick.[1] That's why it's crucial that you get a flu vaccine every year to help protect yourself and others against the virus and its potentially serious flu complications.

Influenza by the numbers

The 2024-2025 flu season was one of the most severe in almost a decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, the CDC found that it was the first season in seven years to be classified as high severity.[2] Based on data from October 1, 2024 through May 17, 2025, CDC estimates there have been up to[3]:

• 82 million flu-related illnesses
• 1.3 million flu hospitalizations
• 130,000 flu deaths

Adults 65 years and older, pregnant people and those with certain chronic medical conditions of all ages are especially vulnerable to flu-related complications.[4] In addition, about 95% of patients hospitalized due to flu last season had at least one chronic condition.[5]

Know the signs and complications

Getting a flu vaccine may not prevent you from contracting the flu. However, it can help lessen the severity and duration of symptoms and help lower your risk of developing severe flu-related illnesses.

Flu symptoms include more than just a fever, chills and cough. In fact, even if you don't have a fever, you may still have the virus. According to the CDC, other flu symptoms[1] include:

• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you get the flu, you may recover in a few days. However, some people may develop moderate to serious - even life-threatening - complications[1] like:

• Pneumonia
• Sinus and ear infections
• Inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues
• Respiratory and kidney failure
• Sepsis

What you can do

The flu can be unpredictable, and the first and most important thing you can do to help lower your risk of getting the flu is to get vaccinated. Higher-dose flu vaccines are among those preferentially recommended for those over 65, according to the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Higher-dose flu vaccines contain more antigen (the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against influenza viruses) than other standard dose adjuvanted flu vaccines, as they are potentially more effective than standard dose adjuvanted flu vaccines for your age group.[1]

In addition to scheduling your flu shot, you can take preventative daily actions to stop the spread of germs and reduce your risk of contracting the flu[6]:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Limit your exposure to people who are sick
• Wipe down frequently touched surfaces

Don't wait!

Flu season may have already started, but you can still get your flu shot to help protect yourself and others. Talk to your health care professional about your risk for flu-related complications and vaccination options and learn more about higher-dose flu vaccine options at SanofiFluShots.com.

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and Symptoms of Flu. Accessed October 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Severity, Disease Burden, and Prevented Burden for the 2024-2025 Influenza Season. Accessed October 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/acip/downloads/slides-2025-06-25-26/03-dugan-influenza-508.pdf.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preliminary Estimated Flu Disease Burden 2024-2025 Flu Season. Accessed October 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/flu-burden/php/data-vis/2024-2025.html.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Influenza. Accessed October 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Selected Underlying Medical Conditions: 2024-25 Season. Accessed October 2025. https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/FluHospChars.html.

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu and People 65 Years and Older. Accessed October 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm.

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