Mass. — The latest data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health shows the severity of influenza is in the red, “very high” zone across the state.
Over the last week, 5,462 people were diagnosed with the flu. That’s up from 2,846 new cases the week prior.
Young children and older adults are being hit the hardest. Children younger than 4 and adults older than 65 currently account for more than two thirds of all flu-related hospitalizations.
With numbers climbing, just 37.9% of eligible Massachusetts residents have received their flu shot.
That’s below the national average and is concerning to some doctors.
“40% to 50% of the population that’s eligible has only taken the flu vaccine,” said Dr. Andrew Pekosz, Virologist Professor and Vice Chair of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins. “Vaccines that sit on a shelf are of no use. It’s vaccines that are in people’s arms.”
The data also shows the percent of influenza-like illness visits across Massachusetts is 5.74%, which is higher than the regional baseline of 2.0% and higher than the previous three seasons in the same week.
“It is not too late to get your flu shot,” the state’s website says. “Flu vaccination is always the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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