The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging all individuals who are without contraindications to receive the influenza vaccine for the 2020 – 2021 flu season, saying it is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic than in normal years.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued updated influenza vaccine recommendations in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report calling for everyone ages 6 months and older without contraindications to get the vaccine for the 2020-2021 flu season. Vaccination is more important this year because it can mitigate stress on the US health care system, already under strain from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the report’s authors.