Panic Watch!

Influenza (commonly called 'the flu') spreads around the world every year in seasons (December through March in the U.S.), killing hundreds of thousands (most of which are 'high risk individuals', also known as 'the elderly'). Every year around this time stories appear warning about impending doom: Vaccinations are the wrong type. There's a shortage of vaccinations. The vaccinations were tainted. This flu is mutated and can't be stopped by vaccinations.

The flu has been around forever and will probably be around forever. Wash your hands, get a flu shot, and go about your business.