February is a significant and compelling month for Families Fighting Flu and our families.
Each family story our organization represents is critical to helping drive awareness of the serious health issues that the flu can pose. However, in February, the accumulation of stories—serious illnesses and deaths among our members—is at its highest. Every month, we remember those we have lost to the flu and our survivors. February has more of these stories than any other month on the calendar. Therefore, we are reminded that the flu continues to circulate.
Flu cases spiked after the holidays, and the CDC considers flu activity “high” or “very high” in much of the country.
As of January 18, 2025, 31 pediatric deaths and approximately 8,300 deaths across the lifespan have been reported for the 2024-2025 flu season. In February, Families Fighting Flu will remember our 13 families who lost a loved one to the flu and our six survivors. In the 20+ years that Families Fighting Flu has existed, we aim to keep individuals from flu-related hospitalizations or death. We remind everyone that it is not too late to receive a flu vaccine.
Read more here from the CDC. And here are some other flu facts ICYMI:
Flu vaccine rates remain low:
Recent data from the CDC showed that less than 42 percent of children aged 6 months to 17 years received their flu shot, a drop from the previous year. Similarly, in the same time frame, roughly 43 percent of adults age 18 and older have been vaccinated against the flu.
First bird flu related death reported:
Louisiana health officials reported the first death of an individual related to Avian or Bird Flu. The victim was an older adult male who had underlying medical conditions and had been exposed to a non-commercial backyard flock. The CDC says the death is not surprising due to the rising number of bird flu diagnoses in the United States, which continue to rise.
Most importantly, it’s not too late to get your flu shot!
While the fall is the ideal time to get your flu vaccine, the CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older gets a flu shot while the virus is still circulating—so there really is no time like now to protect yourself (and bring your friends and family) from a potentially serious illness. Click here to find a vaccination