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WNC Health News: November 21, 2022: The flu season for 2022–2023 has arrived, and it is already terrible. It's time to get your influenza vaccination,
according to specialists, if you haven't already.
The influenza season typically starts in October and peaks between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 2022–23 flu season has only just begun, but it is already off to a bad start.
According to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the week of November 5, 2022 saw 10 times more influenza cases reported in the state than any other week in the previous 12 months. Chart provided by NCDHHS.
According to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the number of influenza cases reported in the state has increased by more than a factor of ten since the peak of the 2021–22 season. In comparison to a peak of just 274 instances for the week ending Dec. 18, 2021, there were 2,929 influenza cases reported for the week ending Nov. 5, 2022.
It's crucial to get vaccinated against the flu now that flu season has officially begun in order to defend against COVID-19's further spread. The safest approach to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated because it can take your body up to two weeks to establish an immune response to a vaccine.
Protect Your Community and Yourself
Because of COVID, there is a real community need to unite around flu vaccination, according to Duke Health's Cameron Wolfe, MD, an infectious diseases specialist.
“There is a real community need to be unified with flu vaccination because of COVID, “Hospitals and clinics get surges in patient volume every winter because of the flu, and the threat of strain on hospitals and clinics because of the flu and COVID is real.
Who Needs a Flu Vaccination?
Everyone six months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Persons over 65, children under 5, people with respiratory conditions like asthma, and those with disorders that reduce immunity are among of the groups that are particularly vulnerable. Consult your doctors first if you have a chronic illness or immunological disorder. For those who are allergic to eggs, there are secure solutions.
Over the previous two years, there have been fewer flu cases reported, most likely as a result of the widespread usage of face masks and regular handwashing. Consider using a face mask inside and washing your hands regularly to help stop the spread of COVID and the flu.
WNCTIMES by Marjorie Farrington
