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National Influenza Vaccination Week

Protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season - join in on National Influenza Vaccination Week and get vaccinated to stay healthy!

Sunday

6–12

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFirst Sunday in December (7-day)

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPublic Health

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

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.

TIMELINE

National Influenza Vaccination Week Timeline

First Vaccination Invented

English physician Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine, paving the way for future developments in immunization.

Influenza Pandemic

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.

Flu Vaccine Licensed

The flu vaccine was officially licensed in the United States, offering protection against the Influenza virus.

Vaccine Development Advances

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.

Swine Flu Vaccination Program

Following an outbreak of swine flu at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the U.S. began a widespread flu vaccination program.

National Influenza Vaccination Week

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established National Influenza Vaccination Week to encourage flu vaccination among the public.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Influenza Vaccination Week

Host a flu shot party

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.

SPREAD

Spread awareness on social media

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.

ORGANIZE

Organize a community vaccination drive

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.

CREATE

Create a flu shot scavenger hunt

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.

OFFER

Offer incentives for getting a flu shot

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.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Influenza Vaccination Week is Important

It highlights the importance of staying healthy during flu season

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.

It promotes awareness and education

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.

It helps prevent the spread of illness

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.

Related holidays

World Immunization Week

Protect yourself and your loved ones during World Immunization Week by getting vaccinated - it's the best way to stay healthy and prevent diseases!

National Immunization Awareness Week

Stay healthy and protect your loved ones by staying up to date on vaccinations during National Immunization Awareness Week!

National Immunization Awareness Month

Don't miss out on National Immunization Awareness Month - get your shots and protect yourself from preventable diseases!

World Immunisation Day

Protect the world - join us in celebrating World Immunization Day and help raise awareness of the importance of vaccines!

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