by Kevin Zimmermann
(WHBL) – State health officials have more than COVID-19 to worry about; it’s now flu season, and the prospect of managing two serious disease outbreaks at once has again raised concerns of an overwhelmed health care system in Wisconsin. So they’re urging everyone to get vaccinated ASAP.
Last flu season, only 42% of Wisconsinites got their flu vaccine. Of the over 36 thousand cases that resulted, 183 died – including three children. And while the death rate from influenza was about 1/3 that of COVID-19 so far, hospitalizations from flu last season were 12% of all cases, well ahead of the 7.4% so far for coronavirus. Both are a respiratory virus and the same prevention practices apply, but the coronavirus experience shows that without vaccine, even best-practices can land you in the hospital.
Flu vaccine is available from your health care provider and at most pharmacies, and there are programs that help cover costs. The Wisconsin DHS also announced that nearly $1 million in grants are being made available to help fund flu shots in the state.
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