THE BANNER
Lee Health: Plan for your flu vaccine now
Larry Antonucci
M.D., MBA, President & CEO of Lee Health
Aug. 24, 2026, 5:11 a.m. ET
Although flu viruses circulate year-round, flu activity typically increases in the fall and peaks between December and February. With the season approaching, now is a good time to plan how you’ll protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone ages six months and older receive a flu vaccine each season, ideally during September or October. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop, so getting vaccinated before flu activity increases can help you be prepared. If you cannot get vaccinated in the fall, vaccination later in the season can still provide protection
Flu is highly contagious and can spread before symptoms appear and for several days after illness begins. For some people, it may mean missing work or school. For others, it can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia or worsening of chronic conditions such as heart disease, asthma, or diabetes
Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious flu complications, including adults 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, and people with certain chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems
Every year, millions of people in the United States get the flu, and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized. Vaccination helps reduce your risk of getting sick and can reduce the severity of illness if you do get the flu. It also helps protect the people around you, including those who may be more vulnerable to serious illness
Fall can also bring an increase in other respiratory illnesses, including RSV and COVID-19. Talk with your doctor or health care provider about which vaccines are recommended for you and the best time to receive them
Your friends, neighbors, and care team at Lee Health remind you to plan your flu vaccination now and encourage your family and loved ones to do the same
Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president and CEO of Lee Health, Southwest Florida’s major destination for health care offering acute care, emergency care, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, health and wellness education, and community outreach and advocacy programs. Visit LeeHealth.org to learn more
