COLUMBUS — The state says Ohio flu hospitalizations are higher than usual and much worse than a year ago.
The Ohio Department of Health says the state saw 92 flu-related hospitalizations during the week that ended Dec. 2 and has seen 257 hospitalizations overall since the flu season began.
The agency says those numbers are above the five-year average for December and higher than last year, which saw 19 flu-related hospitalizations during the same week and 83 hospitalizations overall for the period.
Flu activity traditionally begins to increase in October and can last as late as May, with cases typically peaking between December and February.
The state and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot.
Pregnant women and infants are at high risk for serious flu complications, says Dr. Clint Koenig, the Health Department’s Medical Director.
Health officials say it takes about two weeks for a flu shot to take full effect.
Flu surveillance data in Australia, where flu season is winding down, suggests that this year’s vaccine has been significantly less effective against one circulating flu virus strain, influenza A(H3N2), Koenig said.
“No vaccine is 100 percent effective but there are many reasons to get a flu vaccination. Flu vaccination prevents millions of illnesses and tens of thousands of flu-related hospitalizations each year in the U.S.,” he said.