Hamilton County's top health official is urging residents to get flu shots before Oct. 31, warning that the vaccine needs two weeks to develop protective antibodies.
Dr. Stephen Feagins, medical director of Hamilton County Public Health, said getting vaccinated before Halloween means protection should be in place by Thanksgiving, when family gatherings can spread the virus fast, WLWT reported.
Flu cases remain low nationally but are rising in Ohio and 47 other states, according to CDC data. The agency expects the 2026–2027 respiratory illness season to mirror last year's, with similar peak hospitalization numbers for flu, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).
Last season hit hard. Feagins said it brought the largest flu surge in Hamilton County in five years, pushing local hospitals to capacity. He attributed that spike to several new strains of the virus.
This year's vaccine has been overhauled in response. Feagins said all three virus components in the 2026–2027 flu shot were updated from last season's formula. He called the changes a strong reason to roll up your sleeve.
"So if you didn't have enough reason to get a flu vaccine this year, the fact that all three have had to be updated because we've had changes in the circulating influenza, that's even more of a reason," Feagins told WLWT.
The vaccine does not guarantee residents will avoid the flu entirely, but Feagins said it reduces the severity and length of illness. He told Spectrum News 1 the shot "definitely prevents you from getting it really bad" and "decreases the length of time that you have the flu."
The flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Families with children younger than 5 should arrange vaccination through their pediatrician or another qualified healthcare provider. Feagins said the updated COVID-19 vaccine can safely be given at the same appointment, and the flu vaccine provides protection for about five months.
Health officials are also tracking RSV, which Feagins called the most common respiratory illness to land babies in the hospital. He recommends pregnant women get the RSV vaccine so antibodies can be passed to their newborns.
Feagins said cases are not expected to spike significantly until November, but flu season runs through March. Residents can check with their pharmacy or primary care provider about vaccine availability.
