Preparing for the 2022-2023 flu season
9/13/2022
According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza generally
contributes to 45 million illnesses, 810,000 hospitalizations and 61,000 deaths
during the peak of each flu season between December and February. These rates
have been much lower in recent years as a result of the preventative measures
put in place to protect against COVID-19.
Health
experts are predicting the upcoming flu season to be particularly impactful,
especially as such protective measures continue to decline. The lower levels of
cold and flu activity during the pandemic mean people haven’t been exposed to
these illnesses as much over the past two years and our immune systems may be
more susceptible.
“The number one
thing people can do to minimize their risk of getting the flu is getting the
flu shot,” says Allyson Balthazor, a clinical pharmacist who is completing her
first year of pharmacy residency at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. “The benefit of
preventing the flu outweighs many risks that people may worry about when
getting the flu shot. If you have any concerns about the flu shot, talk to your
primary care provider or pharmacist.”
Aspirus strongly
encourages vaccination against the flu for everyone 6 months of age and older
as the best way to protect ourselves and our communities. Flu shots are
particularly important for people at higher risk of complications from the flu,
including those who:
- Are pregnant
- Are younger than age
2 or age 65+
- Have a chronic
health condition such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes.
Allyson adds “the
best time to get the flu shot would be in September and October. This helps
ensure immunity is highest during peak flu transmission.”
Flu shots will be
available to our communities through our primary care clinics starting in
mid-to-late September. Offerings
and appointment options may differ by location. Call your Aspirus primary care
clinic for local options and to schedule an appointment. For more information,
or to find a primary care provider at an Aspirus location near you, visit https://www.aspirus.org/.
Allyson Balthazor on getting a flu shot this fall. Click to watch:
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