Flu season in U.S. most intense it's been in at least 15 years

The government has not yet reported its estimates of how well this season's flu vaccine is working.

Happened to get the current flu and COVID vaccines because they were free and I was waiting for multiple doctor appointments over a few days. Felt a little sick from the flu vaccine (or it could have been surgery nerves). Got the COVID shot the day after surgery.

Read an article that people who previously had Covid only had a 5% protection from the current Omicron COVID variant just a few days ago. Previously, prior infections provided an 80% protection according to the study. https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/02/protection-from-covid-reinfections-plummeted-from-80-to-5-with-omicron/ The Omicron COVID vaccine became widely available in September, so I feel confident that I have that protection.

Most years, I haven't gotten the flu vaccine unless a once-in-a-lifetime trip was coming up. As I get older and other health issues happen, I expect to get shots every fall for the rest of my life. They make it really easy and relatively convenient with next to ZERO paperwork with no appointment needed. Just show up at the office sign in at the two tables in the lobby - Flu and Covid - then about 2 minutes later, you've had the shot and are on your way. Even easier than when the govt had everyone line up for free shots in 2021 and 2022.

January was extremely cold here. The last 2 weeks has been nice - no coats needed with most days near 21 °C. Yard work time again.

Been ill for the last ten days. At first I was unable to sleep for three days with the worst sore throat I've ever had, with streams of clear yucky stuff, but after several days it changed to more cold-like symptoms. It doesn't yet seem to get better in the way ordinary colds used to. I've still got a sharp pain in my ear/jaw on chewing solids, and my left eye weeps as though I'm crying. I do not want to bring this to the doctor's office as it's bearable and there's no point in spreading it. Taking the usual precautions and holding faith that the old body will cure itself in due course.

I wonder what it was?

Yep Zapoid. That nasty CDC. Who needs those lazy inept "specialists"?

RE; About 44% of adults got flu shots this winter, the same as last winter. But coverage of children is way down, at about 45% this winter. It’s usually around 50%, according to CDC data.

Ha data, Who needs to know what is actually happening to the health of the population?

We can just guess can't we?

gary