What does the past have to teach us about influenza?

Objective: to present a narrative of historical events regarding the influenza epidemic and its interfaces with public health and nursing. Content: the study highlights culture and ways of seeing history over the years, in order to understand the epidemiological behavior of influenza in Brazil, its epidemics, and what has been learned and built after 100 years' caring for and studying this condition during epidemics that occurred in Brazil. Conclusion: immunization is the most effective strategy for controlling communicable diseases and, in the case of Influenza, is a powerful immunobiological resource. This should be the legacy learned from the major epidemics of this disease, as well as health surveillance and education of the public for the same purpose, with a special focus on anti-vaccine movements.