Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates between 25 to 51 million flu illnesses as well as 18,000 to 56,000 flu deaths occurred between Oct. 1 and Feb. 11. According to early data presented during CDC vaccines meeting on Wednesday. Only 9 million flu illnesses are estimated to have occurred during the 2021-2022 flu season.

The recent flu season was reportedly more severe and the preliminary data suggests flu rates were comparable to what was seen before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the United States in 2020. The dominant flu strain was the type that typically caused higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths, particularly among older people. In the past, vaccines were practically ineffective against that strain in people 65 and older. 

Ahead of National Influenza Week recognized by the CDC in December, National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) launched a campaign to urge Black and Hispanic communities to prevent serious illness from the flu by getting vaccinated.

Historically minorities are behind in vaccination rates by as much as a 16% difference compared to the non-Hispanic white population. Black and Hispanic populations are more likely to experience complications from the flu but less likely to be vaccinated. 

NMQF launched fact sheets, appealed for patient stories on social media by promoting hashtag #MyFluStory as well as developed illustrated videos on four cultural values as identified by audfience research data for communities of color, particularly those aged 60 and up: faith, safety, tradition and family.

NMQF received over 100 stories from people regarding their experience with the flu, including some sobering accounts of losing loved ones to the disease. One woman shared losing her son after he was admitted to the ER for flu and developing septic shock with a herniated brain.

In addition NMQF stressed the importance of the high-dose flu vaccine after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated its guidelines last June following advocacy from NMQF and others to recommend that patients 65 and older should receive Fluad Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent or Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent.

The CDC estimated that 36 million flu illnesses and about 25,000 related deaths occurred during the 2019-2020 flu season. According to the CDC,  between 50% and 70% of flu-related hospitalizations and between 70% and 85% of flu-related deaths have occurred among patients 65 and older in recent years.

Annual flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older in the U.S. About half of eligible kids and just under half of adults got flu shots in the last several months, according to CDC data. The vaccines were more than 40% effective in preventing adults from getting sick enough from the flu that they had to go to a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital.