According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), officials estimated that, during the 2012-2013 flu season, vaccination prevented an estimated 6.6 million influenza cases that would have required medical attention or hospitalization.  Vaccination also prevented an estimated 3.2 million medically attended illnesses.  However, less than half of individuals over the age of six months were vaccinated, demonstrating that the impact of vaccination could have been greatly increased.

Influenza is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality each year in the United States. From 1976 to 2007, annual deaths from influenza ranged from approximately 3,300 to 49,000. Vaccination against influenza has been recommended to prevent illness and related complications, and since 2010, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that all persons aged ≥6 months be vaccinated against influenza each year.

The benefits of vaccination seen in 2012-2013 were greater than the CDC had seen before and were attributable to the severity of the season, reports U.S. News & World Report.  Most of the hospitalizations prevented by vaccination last season were among people most at risk — the youngest and the oldest.  Last season started earlier than normal, but this season is starting later.  CDC officials are encouraging individuals that have not yet done so to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

According to the CDC, seasonal influenza is a viral, contagious, respiratory illness.  Certain populations, such as the elderly, young children, and those with compromised immune systems, are more at risk for contracting the virus.  The illness ranges in severity, but certain health conditions can complicate the virus, and there is a small risk of death.  Every year, about 20 percent of Americans get the flu and more than 200,000 are hospitalized.

If preventing the flu is not enough motivation to get vaccinated, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that receiving the influenza vaccination is associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.  This research built upon existing literature that recent flu or flu-like infections are associated with fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events.  Using a systematic review and meta-analysis of from 1946 to 2013, the study extracted data on the correlation between influenza and heart disease.  Focusing on six randomized clinical trials, they found that the influenza vaccine was significantly associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events.