CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – In 2024, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has noted 17 cases of avian influenza in humans.

Avian influenza is typically found in dairy cows, poultry and other animals.

The CDC recommends everyone six months or older get their flu vaccine. Central Shenandoah Health District Director Dr. Allison Baroco said folks who work in agriculture could especially benefit from getting the vaccine.

“It’s possible that if somebody were to get seasonal flu and then they were exposed to H5N1, [the avian flu,] those viruses could mix in their body and potentially mutate and cause problems,” Dr. Baroco said.

Dr. Baroco said there has not been any cases of the viruses combining and mutating.

Flu season can peak at different times of the year, especially around the holidays.

“The [seasonal] influenza virus causes fevers, body aches, muscle aches,” Dr. Baroco said. “It can make people sick enough to want to stay in bed, especially those who aren’t vaccinated.”

Dr. Baroco said there are avian influenza cases in Missouri that are being investigated. There is concern that there was possible human-to-human transmission but that has not been confirmed.

“I think there have not been enough cases to know the severity in the general population of what being exposed to the avian influenza is compared to the seasonal flu,” Dr. Baroco said.

The CDC recommends everyone 6 months or older should get the flu vaccine, preferably before Oct. 31, so communities can create herd immunity.

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