The Brian Lehrer Show How to Stay Healthy as Flu Season Ramps Up
Dec 22, 2025
Michelle Morse, an internal medicine and public health physician and the Interim Commissioner of Health in NYC, tackles the crucial topic of flu season. She discusses the rising flu cases and emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated to protect against severe outcomes. Morse highlights the current strain's increased severity, especially in children and seniors. She also shares practical prevention tips and resources for low-cost vaccines while addressing the impact of federal funding cuts on public health initiatives. Stay informed and healthy this holiday season!
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Flu Season Is Early And Steep
- New York City is entering a steep part of a tougher-than-usual flu curve that started earlier than normal.
- Dr. Michelle Morse urges getting the updated flu shot now to avoid ER visits, hospitalization, or death.
Vaccine Mismatch Still Protects
- This season's vaccine was made before a sub-K mutation but still provides meaningful protection despite imperfect matching.
- Data from the UK show the shot reduced kids' ER visits and hospitalizations by about 70%.
H3N2 Drives More Severe Cases
- H3N2 is the predominant strain this season and tends to cause more severe illness, especially in children and people over 65.
- Local dashboards show children under 18 have the largest ER visit increases recently.