Health experts are warning about a rough start to flu season as it is hitting earlier than usual.
The Center for Disease Control estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 880,000 flu illnesses, 6,900 hospitalizations, and 360 deaths from flu. Norton Healthcare says the positivity rate within their system has jumped from 4 percent to 10 percent in just one week.
Dr. Paul Schulz, an infectious diseases specialist, says he wants to see the flu vaccination rate rise instead. He says the flu vaccine seems to be less popular this year compared to previous seasons.
Dr. Schulz is reminding people that they can get the flu shot at the same time as other vaccinations, including the COVID-19 booster. He also said getting the vaccine is easier than treatment for the flu since there really isn’t much treatment for influenza available.
Doctors suggest getting the shot as soon as you can, as it takes about two weeks to be effective.
Source: WAVE
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