COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus health officials have echoed the concerns of those at the state level over the severity of the 2014-15 flu season so far.
During the week that ended Dec. 20 there were 91 hospitalizations for influenza in Columbus, nearly one third of the total number of hospitalizations for flu since Aug. 25 and five times the number for this time last year, Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long said.
Long says early indicators this week also show increasing levels of flu activity and she urges people to get a flu shot if they haven’t received one yet, even though the vaccine has proven to be less effective against the predominant strain of flu.
“While we know the virus has drifted and the shot doesn’t provide full protection against the most common H3N2 virus, the flu vaccine can provide cross protection and help lessen the severity and duration of symptoms if you get sick,” she said.
People also can reduce their chances of getting the flu by washing hands, covering coughs and staying home when they are sick, Long added.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicted this flu season may be severe and could last into spring.
Hospitalizations and deaths are typically higher when the H3N2 virus is dominant, CDC officials said.