WNC Health News -- October 19, 2026: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the 2026–2027 season, prompting state health officials to encourage vaccination and other precautions as respiratory illnesses circulate this fall.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Oct. 8 that an adult in central North Carolina died from flu complications during the first week of October. Officials did not release the person’s county, exact age or other identifying details, citing the family’s privacy.
“This is a heartbreaking reminder of how serious the flu can be,” NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai said in the announcement.
North Carolina recorded 335 flu-related deaths during the previous respiratory virus season, including 10 pediatric deaths, according to NCDHHS. That was the third-highest statewide total since broad reporting began in 2009.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
NCDHHS recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone ages 6 months and older. The department identifies October as an ideal time to get vaccinated, although vaccination later in the season can still provide protection.
Vaccination is particularly important for people at greater risk of complications, including adults 65 and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women and people with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Infants younger than 6 months cannot receive a flu vaccine, making vaccination among caregivers and household members especially important.
Where to get vaccinated in Western North Carolina
Flu vaccines are available through pharmacies, medical offices, local health departments and some community health centers. Residents can use the vaccine-location finder linked from NCDHHS’s vaccine information page, or contact a nearby provider directly. No prescription is needed for a flu vaccine.
Local options include:
Buncombe County: The county’s Immunization Clinic is at 40 Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville. Call 828-250-5096 for an appointment. Posted walk-in