A century of influenza prevention in St. Louis.

The 1918 pandemic of influenza in St. Louis was ameliorated by the public health efforts of the City Health Department. At the time, St. Louis was the sixth largest city in the US; among the ten largest cities, St. Louis had the fewest influenza cases and deaths. Closing schools, churches, theaters, and other public meeting places reduced the severity of the pandemic in St. Louis. The benefits of contemporary influenza vaccines to prevent influenza and economic disruption are summarized.