STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Getting a flu shot and washing your hands are the best ways to protect, not only yourself, but vulnerable people in your life, medical experts advise as we head into flu season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it predicts flu numbers to be similar to what we experienced in the 2024-2025 season.

Last year, the federal agency reported 43 million illnesses, 560,000 hospitalizations and 38,000 deaths across the country, with the season being categorized as “high severity.”

NYC sees between 1,500 and 2,000 deaths annually due to the flu and pneumonia combined, according to the city Health Department. Last year, three pediatric deaths were reported, the agency said. And over 22,000 lab-confirmed cases were reported by early February 2025.

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