Last Winter, in the United States, an estimated amount of 80,000 people died of the flu. At least less than half of Americans are vaccinated, according to the NBC News. Being vaccinated is likely to be effective in preventing or weakening, the disease or virus. In recent years, flu-related deaths have ranged from about 12,000 to – in the worst year – 56,000, reported the CDC (Center for Disease Control). Influenza has sent many more people to the hospital and a recorded number of 53 children have died from the virus. The flu is killing up to 4,000 Americans a week.

“Even if you get flu after having received the vaccine … you are likely to benefit by having a less severe illness,” Dr. William Schaffner told the news conference. “As a doctor, I love it when my patients don’t get pneumonia or have to get admitted to the hospital. No one wants to be what I call the dreaded spreader.”