Feb 18, 2025 07:41 PM
https://www.sciencealert.com/intense-flu...s-cdc-says
INTRO: The US is dealing with an unusually intense influenza outbreak that has infected between 29 and 51 million people and hospitalized up to 820,000 since October.
It's one of the worst flu seasons in 15 years, and some scientists are blaming post-COVID 'vaccination fatigue' and misinformation for the sudden surge. Several years of non-stop debate around COVID-19 may have led to vaccine hesitancy or avoidance, compromising the public's intent to get vaccinated for other health issues.
The influenza A virus (which is not one of the viruses responsible for the common cold) seems to be taking advantage of the current situation.
According to the most recent estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in just a single week this February, hospitals were flooded with more than 50,000 patients battling the highly contagious respiratory infection.
The current flu season is now classified by the CDC as "high severity" – the first time this designation has been given since the 2017-2018 season. CDC spokesperson Paul Prince recently advised that anyone over six months of age who has not received the influenza vaccine this flu season "should get vaccinated immediately."
Even this far into the flu season, experts say it's still worth both children and adults getting vaccinated to reduce community spread and to ensure their best chance of evading severe respiratory illness... (MORE - details)
INTRO: The US is dealing with an unusually intense influenza outbreak that has infected between 29 and 51 million people and hospitalized up to 820,000 since October.
It's one of the worst flu seasons in 15 years, and some scientists are blaming post-COVID 'vaccination fatigue' and misinformation for the sudden surge. Several years of non-stop debate around COVID-19 may have led to vaccine hesitancy or avoidance, compromising the public's intent to get vaccinated for other health issues.
The influenza A virus (which is not one of the viruses responsible for the common cold) seems to be taking advantage of the current situation.
According to the most recent estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in just a single week this February, hospitals were flooded with more than 50,000 patients battling the highly contagious respiratory infection.
The current flu season is now classified by the CDC as "high severity" – the first time this designation has been given since the 2017-2018 season. CDC spokesperson Paul Prince recently advised that anyone over six months of age who has not received the influenza vaccine this flu season "should get vaccinated immediately."
Even this far into the flu season, experts say it's still worth both children and adults getting vaccinated to reduce community spread and to ensure their best chance of evading severe respiratory illness... (MORE - details)