Back to Cold & Flu

With Autumn Comes Cooler Temps and Flu

September 22, 2025 at 10:46 AM EDT
By WeatherBug Meteorologists
A person getting the influenza shot. (Wikimedia Commons)
It’s that time again: shorter days, cooler temperatures and the beginning of the flu season.  Approximately 36,000 Americans die from flu every year.  Young children, the elderly and people with suppressed immune systems are especially vulnerable.

As a preventative measure, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta recommend yearly vaccinations for everyone 6 months or older. Vaccines for high-risk individuals, including young children, pregnant women, people 50 years and older, those with certain chronic medical conditions and people living in nursing homes are highly recommended.

Influenza vaccines are administered by a flu shot. This year, the flu shot, which is an inactivated influenza vaccination, is recommended. The nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for this flu season. It is best to check with your health care professional to determine which vaccine, there are several variants available, is right for you. 

The best time to get vaccinated is early in the flu season, with the CDC recommending October or November.  It takes about two weeks after getting vaccinated to develop the antibodies that protect against influenza.

Symptoms of the flu include, but are not limited to:
  • Fever
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Sore Throat
  • Muscle Aches
Be sure to make it a habit to check WeatherBug for the latest weekly Influenza Update throughout the flu season.