What does Global Warming mean for the upcoming Flu Season?

Pinnacol, like many employers, offers free or low-cost flu shots to employees hoping to avoid the aches and pains associated with whatever variation of influenza will be circulating this season. At Pinnacol we'll be getting our flu shots on October 29th. Not every employee signs up, but I can't remember the last year I didn't receive my poke in the arm. Last year's shots were apparently only mildly effective as a prevention as the folks that make the shots have to make an educated guess months ahead as to which virus to protect against.

Here in Colorado, as well as in much of the west, we're having beautiful, and unseasonably warm, weather. Denver yesterday broke the high temperature record for the date with a high of 87 degrees. Even in the mountains the weather has been warm with no ski areas as of yet able to start making snow. Normally ski season starts in just a couple of weeks, but this year they'll need quite the change in weather to have us sliding down the hills anytime soon.

I'm not sure if global warming is the cause for the climb in temperature this year and I'm not willing to prognosticate as to whether the mild weather will continue or for how long. But it does make you wonder - will the milder temperatures have any impact on the upcoming flu season? We are in week 42 of 2015 and according to the chart from last year that's about the time when the Center for Disease Control normally see's the spike in reported flu symptoms start to climb.

As you'll notice, the height of flu season last year was in the last week of 2014. Of course, flu hits different parts of the country at slightly different times. Here in the office we're already seeing an increase in people fighting colds and other respiratory ailments (it can't be the flu yet, right?) and we haven't even seen the first snow. Whether you are a believer in global warming or not, one can still hope that the milder climate may keep those pesky viruses at bay. But just in case, I'll be standing in line, sleeve rolled up, to get that jab in the arm as I always do. Regardless as to whether you participate, here is hoping for a quiet flu season. How about you - are you getting a flu shot this year? Do you think the climate impacts the flu season?