SPOKANE, Wash. — Flu vaccination rates in Washington have dropped 13% compared to last year as health care providers warn the upcoming season could bring severe illness similar to last winter’s outbreak.
State data shows just over 914,000 people have received flu vaccines this year, down from more than 1 million vaccinated at this time last year. The decline comes as medical professionals prepare for what could be another challenging flu season.
“Last season was a big flu season, yes,” said Cindy Roberts Hollon, a nurse practitioner at Multicare who treated numerous flu patients last winter.
Roberts Hollon said most patients who sought treatment were unvaccinated, and many experienced severe symptoms that surprised families.
“I don’t think people realize this. The severity of the illness is not just that you feel crummy or have high fevers and body aches,” Roberts Hollon said. “Parents will come in and say, ‘this is the sickest my child has ever been.'”
The nurse practitioner noted that last flu season brought increased risks of serious complications, including encephalopathy and necrotizing encephalitis – conditions that can cause brain damage or death from influenza.
“The predictions are that we’ll have a similar flu season to last time,” Roberts Hollon said.
Despite the overall decline in vaccination rates statewide, some local pharmacies report increased demand.
6th Avenue Medical Pharmacy has seen approximately 25% more people seeking flu shots compared to previous years.
Health care providers continue to address common misconceptions about the vaccine that may contribute to lower vaccination rates.
“What I hear a lot from people is that they think they can get the flu from the flu shot, which is not true,” Roberts Hollon said.
Children face particular risks during flu season. The combination of close contact in school settings and developing immune systems creates an easy opportunity for germs to spread.
“It’s particularly concerning in school-age children because they are in groups where it’s going to transmit quickly if they’re not immunized,” Roberts Hollon said. “And lots of germs are shared in those classrooms.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. The vaccine typically takes about two weeks to provide full protection.
Medical experts emphasize that while flu season is still in its early stages, getting vaccinated soon provides the best protection as cases typically increase through fall and winter months.
For more information on the flu and the flu vaccine, visit www.doh.wa.gov.
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