Influenza, also called the flu, is a serious illness. Every year, 35-75 million people in the US get the flu, 400,000-900,000 people are hospitalized from the flu every year, and 20,000-100,000 people die from the flu every year. Getting a flu vaccine each season can help protect you from getting seriously sick from the flu. Flu vaccines help weaken the effects of the infection if you are exposed, reducing the risk of being hospitalized or dying from the illness. Flu vaccines are highly effective and have been around since the 1940s. The flu virus mutates rapidly, which is why it is important to stay up to date and get a new flu shot once or twice per year. It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older receive a flu shot each season. It is especially important for those at high-risk such as older adults and those with preexisting health conditions, such as a compromised immune system. In September 2024, the FDA approved a nasal spray flu vaccine that is available for people aged 2-49 who are not pregnant and do not have certain medical conditions.