While COVID-19 vaccinations get most of the media coverage, the American Medical Association wants to remind the public that flu season is here and people need to get their flu shots.

AMA is teaming up with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ad Council to run a public service campaign encouraging people to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu. The "No Time for Flu" will run throughout the 2021-2022 flu season, with emphasis on reaching Hispanic and Black communities. The campaign will run in conjunction with a related social media campaign, #FluFOMO.

In a joint statement, the groups noted that the previous flu season was unusually mild largely because of the preventive measures taken to combat COVID-19. The threat is much greater this year because those measures are on the decline.

"With COVID-19 community transmission levels high across much of the US, getting the flu vaccine will help protect people from illness, hospitalization, and death," AMA board President Gerald Harmon said. "The flu vaccine is safe, effective, and can be taken in tandem with the COVID-19 vaccine."

A survey by the Ad Council found that 30% of Black respondents and 33% of Hispanic respondents were undecided about getting flu shots this season. Both populations are at higher risk of getting very sick from the flu and less likely to get flu vaccinations.

No Time for Flu and #FluFOMO ads were created pro bono by advertising agency fluent360 and will appear in print, TV, radio, social media, out-of-home and digital formats nationwide in time and space donated by media outlets. The ads direct audiences to GetMyFluShot.org for more information, including where to get a flu vaccine in their area.

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