More than 80,000 people died from the flu last season in the United States, according to early estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Generally, the very old, the very young or those with major medical problems like diabetes, heart disease or immune conditions would make up the overwhelming portion of those severely ill with flu.
But last season was different.
Children especially can be helped by the flu vaccine. Last season, 172 children died from flu-related illnesses in the United States — a record for a flu season, according to the CDC.
About 80 percent of those who died had not received a shot.
Get the flu vaccine. Immunity from flu is expected to last through January for those who get vaccinated now.