Getting the annual flu shot is important because it is the most effective way to prevent flu illness and its potentially serious complications, and it helps protect vulnerable people in your community.
It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine every season.
As of early January 2026, flu activity in Arkansas is considered "very high" and surging rapidly.
Selected Podcast
Fast Facts about Flu Shots
Featured Speaker:
Robert Hopkins, M.D.
Dr. Robert Hopkins is a Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at UAMS. He is also the Medical Director of National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Hopkins, a lifelong Arkansan, is well-known and respected within the public health and medical communities for his thoughtful approach to decision-making and his skills as a clear and compassionate communicator.
As medical director, Hopkins focuses on the growth of NFID programs, including efforts to build vaccine confidence, address health equity issues, increase awareness of disease prevention and treatment, and strengthen NFID partner collaborations. He is the chief medical spokesman for NFID and represents the foundation as a liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.