A Flu Shot Deferred: A Young Woman’s Harrowing Tale and a Nation’s Vaccine Hesitancy
Kaitlyn Covert’s family had always been vigilant about the flu. The tragic loss of her cousin, who succumbed to the illness at the tender age of four, served as a constant, painful reminder of its potential severity. Growing up, Covert, now 19, never questioned the importance of annual flu vaccinations. For years, she diligently received her flu shot, believing she was safeguarding herself and her community.
However, last October, a confluence of circumstances led to a fateful decision: she postponed her flu shot. Having recently relocated from Philadelphia to Gainesville, Florida, for her freshman year at the University of Florida, Covert found herself immersed in a new environment. The lingering summer weather blurred the lines of the approaching flu season, and the whirlwind of settling into college life pushed vaccination down her priority list. While she intended to get vaccinated eventually, it didn’t feel urgent. Like many young adults, she held the misconception that she was not particularly vulnerable to severe flu complications.
"That’s kind of normal in my experience at college," she explained, referring to the constant presence of minor illnesses that circulate among students. The term "frat flu," a euphemism for the common cold, seemed to perfectly encapsulate the mild malaise she anticipated. She was otherwise healthy, with no pre-existing conditions that would suggest heightened risk.
But what began as seemingly typical college sickness soon morphed into something far more serious. As her symptoms intensified, her mother, concerned about her daughter navigating her first "real" illness away from home, urged her to seek medical attention. The timing was unfortunate; Hurricane Milton had just battered Florida’s Gulf Coast, leaving the university campus eerily deserted.
At urgent care, Covert received a shocking diagnosis: she tested positive for both influenza A and influenza B strains, a relatively rare occurrence. The severity of her symptoms quickly escalated. She was plagued by the worst headache of her life, her blood pressure plummeted, and her heart rate skyrocketed to over 200 beats per minute – far exceeding the average of 81.6 bpm for her age group.
The situation rapidly deteriorated, and Covert went into sepsis, a life-threatening condition triggered by the body’s dysregulated response to infection. Her organs, including her lungs, kidneys, and liver, were at risk of severe damage. Immediate treatment in the emergency room was crucial to save her life.
Covert’s experience serves as a stark warning about the potential dangers of the flu, particularly for young people. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, emphasizes that healthy children, adolescents, and young adults are frequently admitted to emergency rooms each year due to severe flu complications. He points out the unpredictability of the virus, highlighting that even a seemingly mild illness can quickly turn critical for some individuals.
"We cant predict if you get sick and youre young and healthy, whos going to be able to endure a relatively mild illness of a few days duration, from someone who that evening or the next day will have to go to the emergency room," Schaffner explains. "But the virus can do that."
This year, the United States is grappling with what could be its worst flu season in over a decade. In a concerning shift, flu-related deaths have surpassed COVID-related deaths for the first time since the pandemic began five years ago. Compounding the issue, flu vaccination rates are alarmingly low, reaching a three-year low among the general population and a six-year low among children, according to data from the CDC.
Covert hopes that sharing her near-fatal experience will encourage others to prioritize annual flu vaccinations. However, recent events have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of vaccine accessibility and public confidence. The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has ignited widespread debate about vaccine safety, raising concerns among scientists and public health experts.
Further fueling these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) abruptly canceled its vaccine advisory committee meeting, which is crucial for selecting the strains for the next flu season’s vaccine. Dr. Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, expressed her dismay, stating that the cancellation "is irresponsible, ignores science and shows a lack of concern for the protection of the public from this potentially severe disease."
The impact of Covert’s illness extended beyond her physical health. Before contracting the flu, she was thriving in her freshman year, enjoying her classes, forging new friendships, and participating in university life. However, her illness took a significant toll on her mental well-being. Her academic performance suffered, and her social life dwindled.
"I was randomly crying throughout the day for no reason," she recounted. "I did not want to go out. I did not want to be with anyone. I was so upset all the time. I just wanted to go home."
Recognizing the symptoms of depression, Covert sought professional help and was diagnosed with post-viral depression. As Schaffner explained, viral infections like the flu can trigger an inflammatory response that affects the brain, leading to hormonal imbalances, fatigue, mood swings, diminished appetite, and difficulty concentrating.
The cancellation of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee meeting marks the second disruption to vaccine-related advisory panels since RFK Jr.’s appointment. The health department previously postponed a meeting of advisors to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccines to allow for more public comment.
While the scientific community remains concerned about this period of uncertainty, FDA staff have reportedly reassured scientists and physicians that the influenza vaccine is still expected to be available this fall at the usual time. An FDA spokesperson stated that the agency will release its recommendations to manufacturers in time for updated vaccines to be available for the 2025-26 influenza season, although no reason was given for the cancellation of the meeting.
Despite the ongoing discussions and concerns, experts emphasize that it is never too late to get vaccinated against the flu. Dr. Jen Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, recommends both flu shots and COVID boosters, stating that "Flu and COVID exist all year round."
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. Flu vaccines are widely available at walk-in clinics like CVS Pharmacy, and peak flu season can last through March or even May. It takes approximately two weeks to build immunity after receiving the flu shot.
While vaccination does not guarantee complete protection from the flu, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. As Schaffner puts it, the goal is to turn "wild into mild." Children and young adults, with their stronger immune responses, tend to benefit the most from flu vaccines.
Data released by the CDC on Feb. 27 estimated that the 2024-2025 flu shot has an efficiency rate of 32%-60% against influenza and 63-78% against influenza-associated hospitalization among children and adolescents. Among adults ages 18 and older, these estimates drop to 36-54% and 41-55%, respectively.
Kaitlyn Covert’s harrowing experience has profoundly changed her perspective on the flu. "It’s something that I take more seriously now," she said. "I hope that by sharing my story, other people will too. I would never want anyone to feel the way that I felt. I would never want anyones family to go through what my family went through. Its not worth it when its so easy to get the shot and its so effective."
