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Get ready to protect yourself and others from the flu by celebrating National Influenza Vaccination Week on December 6! This important holiday was established in 2005 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu. The week leading up to December 6 is a great time to get your annual flu shot, as it typically marks the start of peak flu season. Let's make sure we all stay healthy and happy this winter by taking advantage of this wonderful holiday and getting our flu vaccines.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1796</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Vaccination Invented</div><div class='timeline-text'>English physician Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine, paving the way for future developments in immunization.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1918</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Influenza Pandemic</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 1918 Influenza Pandemic highlighted the need for effective vaccines against the flu, killing an estimated 50 million people worldwide, 675,000 of which were in the United States.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1945</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Flu Vaccine Licensed</div><div class='timeline-text'>The flu vaccine was officially licensed in the United States, offering protection against the Influenza virus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1964</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Vaccine Development Advances</div><div class='timeline-text'>Herman Goldenthal, M.D., at what is now the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, created a new method to manufacture flu vaccines.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1976</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Swine Flu Vaccination Program</div><div class='timeline-text'>Following an outbreak of swine flu at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the U.S. began a widespread flu vaccination program.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Influenza Vaccination Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established National Influenza Vaccination Week to encourage flu vaccination among the public.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a flu shot party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a flu shot party! Make it fun by providing snacks and drinks and encourage everyone to get their flu shots together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread awareness on social media</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use your social media platforms to spread awareness about the importance of getting a flu shot during National Influenza Vaccination Week. Share statistics, personal experiences, and helpful tips to encourage others to get vaccinated.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a community vaccination drive</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Partner with local healthcare providers to organize a community vaccination drive. Set up a convenient location and offer free or discounted flu shots to members of the community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a flu shot scavenger hunt</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and create a flu shot scavenger hunt! Hide small prizes around your home or neighborhood and leave clues that lead to the location of the flu shots. This is a fun way to encourage people to get vaccinated.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Offer incentives for getting a flu shot</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Encourage people to get their flu shots by offering incentives such as gift cards, freebies, or discounts at local businesses. This can help make getting vaccinated more appealing and increase participation in National Influenza Vaccination Week.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes awareness and education</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Influenza Vaccination Week helps to educate people about the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu. It's a great opportunity to learn about the current strains of influenza and why getting vaccinated is crucial for protecting yourself and others.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It helps prevent the spread of illness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By encouraging more people to get vaccinated, National Influenza Vaccination Week can help reduce the number of flu cases and ultimately prevent the spread of illness. This is especially important for vulnerable populations such as young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It highlights the importance of staying healthy during flu season</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Influenza Vaccination Week reminds us of the importance of taking care of ourselves and our health, especially during flu season when the risk of getting sick is higher. It encourages everyone to not only get vaccinated, but also practice good hygiene and healthy habits to reduce their chances of getting the flu or other illnesses.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Flu vaccines save thousands of lives each year in the US</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccination prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year, and significantly reduces the risk of flu-associated hospitalization.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The flu vaccine isn’t just about protecting yourself</h3><p class='facts-content'>Though it may not completely prevent the illness, receiving a flu shot can reduce the severity of the flu if a person contracts it, thereby making them less likely to spread the virus to others around them, especially those who are vulnerable.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The flu vaccine is updated every year</h3><p class='facts-content'>Because the flu virus evolves so quickly, new flu vaccines are released every year to keep up. Scientists make the vaccine based on the strains they think will be circulating in the coming year.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of heart attacks</h3><p class='facts-content'>Several studies have shown that individuals with heart disease can reduce their risk of heart attacks by getting vaccinated, making the flu shot even more critical for those with underlying health conditions.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Pregnant women can and should get vaccinated</h3><p class='facts-content'>The flu shot is safe for pregnant women, who, due to changes in immune system, heart, and lung functions during pregnancy, are more prone to severe illness from flu. The vaccine also protects the baby from flu viruses for several months after birth.</p></div></div>
National Influenza Vaccination Week is celebrated on December 6 every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Friday.
2023
Dec 6
Wednesday
2024
Dec 6
Friday
2025
Dec 6
Saturday
2026
Dec 6
Sunday
2027
Dec 6
Monday
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