State confirms first flu death of the season, urges Hoosiers to get vaccinated

ByLocal Sources Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Indiana Department of Health confirmed the state’s first flu-related death of the 2026-27 flu season on Thursday, October 29.

The department did not give any details about the person who died, citing privacy laws.

Indiana’s flu season usually runs from October through May. More than 270 Hoosiers died after getting the flu during the 2025-26 season, according to the department.

“Each year at this time we are preparing to see an increase in respiratory illnesses, including flu, and we want to stress the importance of taking steps to prevent influenza, which can quickly become a serious illness for some Hoosiers and can even be life-threatening,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver said in a news release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. State health officials say the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing serious illness.

The CDC also recommends getting vaccinated early. It takes about two weeks for the body to build the antibodies that protect against the flu, and the holidays are coming, when families gather indoors.

Some people face a higher risk of serious problems from the flu, such as pneumonia, hospitalization and death. They include pregnant women, young children (especially those too young to be vaccinated), older adults, people with weakened immune systems and people with certain chronic illnesses. Health officials say it is especially important for these groups to get a flu shot each year.

The department also urges people to follow the “Three Cs” to slow the spread of flu and other illnesses:

  • Clean: Wash your hands with warm, soapy water.
  • Cover: Cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue.
  • Contain: Stay home from work or school when you’re sick.

Common flu symptoms include:

  • Fever of 100 degrees or higher
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Runny or stuffy nose

The state posts flu data each week on its influenza dashboard, which is updated on Mondays. The dashboard also has past flu data broken down by county, region and age group.

More health information is available at health.in.gov.

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