Alaska urges flu shots now as influenza activity climbs

Flu activity is already climbing in Alaska, and state health officials say September and October are the best window to get vaccinated before cases peak. Last season peaked in late December and early January.

The guidance came Friday in Bulletin No. 14 from the Alaska Section of Epidemiology. The bulletin keeps annual influenza vaccination recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older who has no medical reason to avoid it.

Children aged 6 months through 8 years who have never had a flu vaccine, or who have had only one dose, need two doses this season. The bulletin says the first should come as soon as vaccine is available, and the second at least four weeks later.

All three vaccine virus components were updated from the 2025-26 season to better match circulating viruses. This season's vaccines are trivalent, protecting against three strains, and come in several formulations for different age groups and needs.

Alaska recorded 36 influenza-associated deaths last season, none in children, and more cases and deaths than in each of the previous three years, the state's surveillance summary says. Adult vaccine coverage was 22.7%, compared with 46.5% nationally. Preliminary vaccine effectiveness for last season was estimated at 22% to 34%.

The bulletin lists groups at increased risk for severe illness: children 6 months through 4 years, people aged 50 and older, pregnant people, people with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems, nursing home residents and American Indian or Alaska Native people. Egg allergy alone no longer requires added precautions, though anaphylaxis to an egg-based vaccine still rules those products out.

The Alaska Immunization Program will supply Fluzone, Flucelvax, FluMist, Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad.