The Louisiana Office of Public Health says only 25 percent of healthy adults in the state have received a flu shot this year. Immunization medical director, Doctor Frank Welch, says that percentage needs to increase since flu activity is widespread in the state, with almost three times as much activity as the regional baseline.
“We all have to remember, healthy adults who are out there busy doing lots of things are actually the ones who are spreading the flu,” says Welch.
Welch says Louisiana is already close to matching the peak of last year’s flu season and that was one of the worst in years. He says the B strain of flu is going around Louisiana, while the rest of the country is getting sick from the more severe A-strain.
“There is no reason why this A virus can’t come around and get us over the next two, three, or four months, so it is more important that people go get that flu shot,” says Welch.
During the 2018-19 flu season, 15-thousand Louisiana residents were hospitalized by the flu, while 15-hundred died from the virus. Welch says to protect yourself now.
“Before we start gathering for the holidays before people start grouping together in a little bit colder weather, go protect yourself and your family by getting that flu shot,” says Welch.