Wednesday, Sep 03, 2025 • Drew Davison : Contact

With flu season approaching and COVID-19 remaining a threat, infectious disease expert Erin Carlson encourages people to consult with their family physicians about getting vaccinated to avoid serious illness, hospitalization or death this fall and winter.

Dr. Carlson, the founding director of graduate public health programs at The University of Texas at Arlington, said vaccines remain safe and effective in protecting against serious complications from both COVID-19 and flu.

“Both vaccines have undergone extensive safety monitoring, and studies consistently show that their benefits far outweigh any potential risks,” Carlson said.

In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 916,300 people were hospitalized and more than 75,500 died from COVID-19. During the 2023-24 flu season, an estimated 44,900 people died from flu-related complications.

Carlson recently shared answers to questions about vaccine safety and effectiveness, why getting vaccinated matters and other key issues surrounding vaccinations.

The first influenza vaccine was licensed for use in civilians in the U.S. in 1945, and the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved in 2020. Are these vaccines safe?

Carlson: Unequivocally yes. Both vaccines undergo extensive safety monitoring, with real-world data consistently showing strong protection against severe disease with only very rare serious adverse effects.

What are the key reasons for getting vaccinated?

Carlson: Vaccination lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from both viruses—and reduces symptoms if you do become sick. Annual vaccines are the best prevention against flu and COVID-19 and their complications.

At what age should children receive recommended vaccinations?

Carlson: The CDC recommends flu vaccination every year for everyone 6 months and older, with very few exceptions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends an annual flu shot for all children 6 months and up. For COVID-19, the CDC advises vaccination for ages 6 months and older, with schedules based on age, prior doses and risk. The AAP recommends annual COVID-19 vaccination for children 6 to 23 months and for older children depending on risk factors and family preference.

What is your professional advice for parents on childhood vaccinations?

Carlson: Vaccinations for children protect not only them, but entire communities. Young children are especially vulnerable to severe complications from respiratory illnesses like influenza and COVID-19. Vaccinations reduce the risk of hospitalization and death, help keep kids in school, and shield infants and medically fragile family members who may be unable to be fully vaccinated. Looking at this year’s measles outbreak, we see how quickly diseases that have previously been eliminated can re-emerge when vaccination rates decrease. Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. However, by mid-2025, more than 1,200 confirmed cases had been reported nationally, with 762 cases in Texas as of Aug. 18. This and other outbreaks are primarily located in areas with low vaccination rates. This preventable outbreak has resulted in over 160 preventable hospitalizations and three preventable tragic deaths of unvaccinated persons. When we stop vaccinations, even diseases once considered eliminated can return with devastating effects.

In recent years, an increasing number of individuals have expressed concerns about a potential link between vaccines and autism. What does current scientific evidence say about this claim?

Carlson: There is zero credible evidence linking vaccines to autism. Large, objective scientific reviews consistently find no association. The American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics strongly affirm vaccine safety based on robust scientific evidence.

This fall marks the first season that COVID-19 vaccines are not widely recommended for the general public or healthy children. How do the recent changes to eligibility and federal restrictions impact vaccination efforts and public health?

Carlson: Even with narrower federal eligibility this fall, COVID-19 vaccination remains a vital prevention tool—especially for older adults, people with chronic conditions and those around them. The goal is simple: prevent severe illness, keep hospitals open, and reduce disruptions to work, school and family life. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you do, you can still combine COVID protection with your annual flu—and, when appropriate, RSV—vaccination.

What is the key message you want the public to take away?

Carlson: Vaccines save lives. Any one of us who’ve lost someone to COVID knows the personal toll of preventable deaths. We can each play a role in lowering the disease burden.

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.