UK Healthcare officials say they’ve seen an uncharacteristically high spike in flu hospitalizations this month.
Infectious diseases specialist Nicholas Van Sickels says the healthcare system had 50 to 60 flu hospitalizations all through this month. Peak flu seasons usually see around 10 to 15 hospitalized in the UK Healthcare system.
Van Sickels says scientists are still collecting data on why flu cases have spiked, but one reason could be because two separate strands are going around.
“That makes it a little bit more challenging, because theoretically, you're not protected if you get one versus the other, though, getting both in a season is quite rare,” he said. “And two, it makes it a little bit harder, because the vaccine has to be all the more specific to cover both types.”
Van Sickels says flu vaccination rates in Kentucky are also lower than the national average.
The state Cabinet for Health and Family Services says less than 17% of Kentucky children have gotten a flu shot this season.
“They are much lower here than other areas in the country, specifically among children,” Van Sickells said. “So we're, we just don't have a lot of people vaccinated. And while vaccines might not fully protect you from getting the flu, they help protect you from getting hospitalized.”
In the meantime, Van Sickels recommends getting this year’s flu shot, and regularly washing hands to avoid sickness.
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