Flu Shots Recommended as Cases Increase Amid Low Vaccination Rates

Thursday, December 15th, 2022 -- 12:01 PM

(Bob Hague, WRN) It's not too late to get your flu shot.

Tom Haupt is Influenza Surveillance Coordinator with the Department of Health Services. “The good point is RSV is on a decline. The bad news is that influenza is on a significant increase, and we anticipate that it will continue on for many more weeks before we actually start plateauing and start seeing a decrease.”

Dr. Jasmine Zapata with the Bureau of Community Health Promotion say that’s being driven by low flu vaccination numbers. “Only 31% of the state's population who's eligible to be vaccinated has received it. And that's not enough.”

Flu cases are on the rise across Wisconsin, while only 31% of those eligible have received the flu vaccine. “We have always encouraged people to receive the flu vaccine the minute comes available."

"But now with flu activity increasing and the holidays approaching, it's important for you to have the protection the flu shot gives you, to avoid serious illness for yourself and keep from spreading the illness to family and friends that you may see over the holidays.”

Dr. Zapata with the Wisconsin Bureau of Community Health Promotion says there’s still time to get the flu shot. “Rest assured that we wouldn't be recommending this to you if we didn't feel like it was safe and effective. A few weeks ago, I actually got my flu and COVID shot at the same time. I recommend it to my family, my closest friends, and now is the time for all of us to get protected so that we can go into the New Year safely.”

You can find where a flu shot is available near you by going to vaccines-dot-gov or by calling 211.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.