WILLIAMSPORT, PA — State officials gathered Tuesday to urge Pennsylvanians to get their annual flu shot as respiratory virus season begins, emphasizing the importance of clear, science-based guidance in the face of conflicting federal messaging.
Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen, and Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys visited River Valley Health in Williamsport to highlight the risks of influenza and the benefits of vaccination. The call to action follows new vaccine guidance issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), which was formally endorsed last week by the State Boards of Medicine, Nursing, and Osteopathic Medicine.
“As a father, son, and husband, I view it as my responsibility to get vaccinated so I can keep myself and my family healthy,” Davis said after receiving his flu shot during the visit. He stressed the importance of protecting newborns and infants, who are especially vulnerable to severe illness.
During the 2024–2025 flu season, Pennsylvania recorded more than 234,000 laboratory-confirmed cases, 40,387 hospitalizations, and 1,049 deaths. Nationally, 280 children died from influenza, half of whom had no underlying medical condition.
Dr. Bogen, a pediatrician with more than three decades of experience, underscored the vaccine’s role in reducing both infections and hospitalizations. “Getting your child, and yourself, vaccinated against the flu annually reduces your own risk of infection and also helps protect people in your community at high risk,” she said.
Insurance Commissioner Humphreys reminded residents that most insurance plans cover flu shots at no cost when administered by in-network providers. For uninsured or underinsured residents, vaccines are available through State Health Centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and the Vaccines for Children Program.
The flu vaccine, updated annually to match circulating strains, is recommended for everyone six months and older, with special emphasis on high-risk groups such as seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions.
Respiratory virus season officially began September 28. The Department of Health will provide weekly updates on its respiratory virus dashboard throughout the season.
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