UW Health Urges Flu Shots Before Holidays

Respiratory illnesses have begun across Wisconsin and northern Illinois, and UW Health is encouraging vaccination before holiday gatherings.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Asthma

Empty drive-thru vaccination clinic lane under a modern canopy on a grey late-autumn day, conveying the start of seasonal flu season in Madison. — UW Health is urging Wisconsin and northern Illinois residents to get flu and respiratory vaccinations before holiday gatherings, with drive-thru shots offered in Madison. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you plan to get a flu or respiratory vaccine before the holidays?

UW Health is encouraging people to get vaccinated before holiday gatherings as flu and other respiratory illnesses have begun to circulate across Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Patients can receive vaccinations at the John Wall Drive Thru Clinic in Madison.

Why it matters

Respiratory viruses are unpredictable, and older adults, infants, and people with underlying health conditions face a greater risk of severe disease. Vaccination is presented as one of the safest and most effective tools for reducing severe illness and limiting community spread.

The guidance is based on UW Health's public health recommendations, which note that healthy children and adults become seriously ill from respiratory viruses every year. No specific case counts or vaccination coverage figures were included in the source information.

The players

UW Health

UW Health is the academic health system affiliated with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, serving patients across south-central Wisconsin.

The details

UW Health is urging people to review their overall vaccination status before holiday gatherings. Patients can get vaccinated at the John Wall Drive Thru Clinic, located at 3819 John Wall Drive in Madison.

Ahead of upcoming holiday gatherings, as respiratory illness season has already begun across the region.

Health Landscape

The seasonal respiratory vaccination push at UW Health's John Wall Drive Thru Clinic follows the same pattern of pre-holiday outreach used for annual influenza campaigns in the region. It reflects ongoing efforts to reduce severe respiratory illness among high-risk groups during winter months.

Residents of Madison and surrounding areas can receive vaccinations at the John Wall Drive Thru Clinic without a traditional appointment process. Reviewing vaccination status ahead of holiday travel and family gatherings may help reduce exposure to severe respiratory illness for vulnerable household members.

The takeaway

Checking vaccination status before crowded holiday gatherings is a simple step that protects older adults, infants, and people with health conditions. Respiratory viruses spread quickly in close indoor settings, so early action matters.